r 


REESE  LIBRARY 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


Class   '^5"  5* 


Jbrr. 


f  11  nil  if  M 


^ 


IP 


m 

m 


^  ^ 


BlAfi. 


SI  ^nU  M  t%^  ^sm^wami. 


BY  DR.  J.  H,  ROBINSON. 


BOSTON: 
F.    GLEASON'S     PUBLISHII^G    HALL, 

CORNER  OF  BROMFIELD  AND  TREMONT  STREETS. 

1852. 

Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1852,  hy  F.  Gleason,  in  the  Clerk's  Office 
of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


Publisher's  Note. — The  following  Novellette  was  originally  published  in  The  Flag  of  ocr  Union, 
and  is  but  one  among  the  many  deeply  interesting  productions  emanating  from  that  source.  The  Flag 
has  attained  to  a  circulation  unriralled  in  newspaper  literature ;  its  contributors  form  a  coi-ps  of  the  finest 
talent  in  the  land,  and  its  romances,  tales,  and  poetical  gems  are  of  a  high  order,  and  such  as  enrich  the 
columns  of  no  other  publication. 

The  following  is  the  Prospectus  of  the  Flag  : 


AN  ELEGANT,  MORAL  AND   REFINED  • 

MISCELLANEOUS   FAMILY  JOURNAL, 

Devoted  to  polite  literature,  wit  and  humor,  prose  and  poetic  gems,  and  original  prize  talcs,  written 
expressly  for  this  paper,  and  at  a  veiy  great  cost.    Published  every  Saturday,  by 

F.  GLEASON,  comer  of  Bromfield  and  Tremont  Streets,  Boston, 

S.  FRENCH,  151  Nassau,  comer  of  Spruce  Street,  New  York, 

A.  WINCH,  116  Chestnut  Street,  Philadelphia, 

BURGESS,  TAYLOR  &  CO.,  Ill  Baltimore  Street,  Baltimore, 

A.  C.  BAGLEY,  10  "West  3d  Street,  Cincinnati, 

E.  K.  WOODWARD,  comer  of  Fourth  and  Chesnut  Street,  St.  Louis. 

It  is  generally  acknowledged  that  the  Flag  is  now  the  leading  «wA7y  paper  in  the  United  States,  and  its 
literary  contents  are  allowed,  by  the  best  judges,  to  be  unsurpassed.  In  politics  and  all  sectarian  questions, 
it  is  strictly  neutral.  Nothing  of  an  immoral  nature  will  ever  be  admitted  into  its  columns ;  therefore 
making  it  emphatically, 

A   PAPER   FOR    THE    MILLION, 

AND    A    WELCOME    VISITER    TO    THE    HOME    CIRCLE. 

It  contains  the  foreign  and  domestic  news  of  the  day,  so  condensed  as  to  enable  us  to  give  the  greatest 
possible  amount  of  intelligence.  No  advertisements  are  admitted  to  the  paper,  thus  offering  the  entire 
sheet,  which  is  of  ' 

THE    MAMMOTH    SIZE, 

for  the  instraction  and  amusement  of  the  general  reader.  An  unrivalled  corps  of  contributors  arc 
regulai-ly  engaged,  and  even-  department  is  under  the  most  finished  and  perfect  system  that  experience  can 
suggest,  or  money  produce.  Lacking  neither  the  means  nor  the  will,  we  can  lay  before  our  Imndreds  o( 
thousands  of  readers  an 

the  present  curculation  of  which  far  exceeds  that  of  any  other  weekly  paper  in  the  Union. 


TERMS   TO    SUBSCRIBERS. 

1  subscriber,  one  year,      .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        $2  00 

3  subscribers,      "  ........  5  00 

4  "  "  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  6  00 

8  "  '=  .......  11  00 

16  "  " 20  00 

D^  One  copy  of  the  Flag  of  our    Union,  and    one    copy  of  the  Pictorial  Drawing-Room 
Companion,  one  year,  for     ......  .  .        $5  00 

Q^  Invariably  in  advance. 

No  further  reduction  made  from  the  above  terms. 

Subscribers  or  postmasters  are  requested  to  act  as  agents,  and  form  clubs,  on  the  above  terms. 

*^*  All  orders  should  he  addressed,  post  paid,  to  the  Publisher  of  The  Flag  of  our  Union. 

\X^  The  Flag  can  be  obtained  at  any  of  the  newspaper  depots  in  the   United  States,  and  of  newspaper 

rriers,  at  four  cents  per  copy. 


■        Of  THE  \ 

UWtVERSITV  I 

Of  J 


TW^ 


i^ 


Tl 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE    ALAMO WALTER    ETUINGTOX. 


•^f^HE  first  beams  of  the  morning  sun  were 
[I  saluting  the  "  Lone  Star."  A  man  of 
about  forty  years  of  age,  -wearing  the  uniform  of 
a  Texan  officer,  was  standing  motionless  upon 
the  margin  of  a  prauie,  not  far  from  the  Colora- 
do river  ;  it  was  the  gencral-in-chief  of  the  forces 
raised  to  repel  the  invasions  of  the  "Napoleon 
of  the  West,"  and  shake  off  a  despotism  revolt- 
ing to  men  deeply  imbued  with  republican  sen- 
timents. The  general  had  received  tidings 
from  Colonel  Travis,  in  command  of  Fort  Alamo, 
San  Antonio  de  Bexar,  that  he  was  besieged  by 
overwhelming  numbers,  and  could  not  long 
maintain  his  position  unless  reinforcements  were 
speedily  sent  to  his  relief ;  and  he  had  added 
that  while  the  Alamo  held  out  and  successfully 
resisted  the  enemy,  signal  guns  should  be  filled 
at  sunrise  every  morning. 

The  colonel  had  redeemed  his  promise,  and 
for  many  consecutive  days  the  booming  of  dis- 
tant cannon  had  been  heard  rolling  over  the 
prairies  with  a  mournful  sound,  as  if  heralding 
the  fate  of  the  devoted  garrison.  General 
Houston,  after  accepting  the  command,   which 


had  been  tendered  him  for  tlie  second  time,  and 
addressing  a  patriotic  speech  to  the  convention 
(which  took  the  place  of  the  provisional  govern- 
ment) at  Washington,  mounted  his  horse,  and 
without  loss  of  time  rode  towards  Bexar. 

For  several  mornings  he  had  heai-d  the  signal 
guns  which  were  to  assure  the  friends  of  the 
cause  of  Texas  that  the  Alamo  was  yet  in  the 
hands  of  Travis  and  his  men.  At  the  jimcture 
to  which  we  have  referred,  he  was  in  the  act  of 
listening  with  intense  interest  to  catch  the  low 
thunder  of  the  distant  ordnance. 

It  was  in  vain  that  he  bent  forward  and  placed 
his  ear  to  the  ground  ;  the  sounds  which  would 
have  been  so  welcome  did  not  reach  him.  It 
was  the  hour  when  he  had  been  bidden  to  ex- 
pect the  signal  guns,  and  lie  felt  assured  that 
his  sense  of  hearing,  rendered  acute  by  long 
practice,  had  not  failed  in  this  instance.  With 
a  dejected  countenance  he  returned  to  the  spot 
where  he  had  left  his  party,  mounted  his  horse 
and  went  forward  in  the  direction  of  Bexar  as 
fast  as  practicable. 

Early  on  the  following  morning  he  again  Iw- 


8 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


tenecl  anxiously  for  tlie  signal,  but  with  no  Let- 
ter success.  While  thus  engaged  other  sounds 
attracted  his  attention.  He  heard  horses  ap- 
proaching at  a  gallop,  and  in  a  moment  they 
came  in  sight ;  two  in  number.  The  foremost 
was  ridden  by  a  white  man  of  goodly  figure  ; 
the  other  by  a  negro  of  gigantic  proportions. 
Both  were  begriramed  with  powder,  dust,  and 
gmoke,  and  their  clothes  were  torn  and  stained 
with  blood,  while  the  perspiration  was  streaming 
from  the  flanks  of  their  overtaxed  steeds. 

The  general  instinctively  laid  his  hand  upon 
his  side  arms  as  he  hailed  the  approaching  horse- 
men. 

"  Are  you  friends,  or  foes  ?" 

"  Either,"  responded  the  man  in  advance,  in 
a  careless  tone.  "  A  friend,  if  you  intnide  not 
upon  my  rights — a  foe,  if  you  wrong  me." 

"  That  is  according  to  the  great  law  of  nar 
ture,"  answered  the  general.  "  It  is  the  motto 
of  the  free  sons  of  the  forest.  But  be  more 
definite.  Do  you  fight  beneath  the  red  banner 
of  the  'Lone  Star,'  or  where  the  flag  of  the 
Dictator  of  Mexico  is  thrown  out  to  the  breeze  ?" 

"  I  am  from  the  Alamo,"  replied  the  other. 

"  From  the  Alamo  !"  exclaimed  the  general, 
quickly.  "  I  was  just  listening  to  hear  the  sig- 
nal guns." 

"  You  will  listen  long  ere  you  hear  them; 
their  thunders  are  silenced  forever,  and  the  gal- 
lant hearts  that  manned  them  arc  cold  in 
death." 

"  In  the  name  of  Heaven,  tell  me  all  without 
delay !"  cried  the  general,  greatly  excited. 
"  What  has  been  the  fate  of  Travis,  and  Crock- 
ett, and  Bowie,  and  their  brave  followers?" 

"Death,  sir!"  said  the  horseman,  clenching 
his  fist,  and  setting  his  teeth  hard  together. 
"  They  have  been  murdered  in  cold  blood,  and 
after  they  had  capitulated." 

"How  many  escaped  the  slaughter?"  asked 
the  general,  in  a  suppressed  voice. 

"  Myself  and  servant,  and  a  woman  with  a 
child  in  her  arras,  are  all  that  survive  to  tell  the 
story  of  Mexican  duplicity." 

"  A  band  of  braver  men  never  trod  the 
earth,"  said  the  general,  turning  suddenly  from 


the  horseman  and  dashing  a  tear  from  his  eye. 
"  Peace  to  their  souls  in  that  land  where  there 
is  no  oppression,  and  where  the  white  flag  of 
peace  waves  eternally." 

"  Amen,  from  the  deepest  fountains  of  my 
heart,"  responded  the  stranger. 

"  Would  to  Heaven  they  had  listened  tome," 
continued  Houston,  sorrowfully ;  "  blo\vn  up  the 
fort  and  retired  to  Gonzales.  But  far  be  it 
from  me  to  reproach  them ;  they  acted  as  they 
thought  for  the  best,  and  no  doubt  left  marks  of 
their  prowess  upon  the  enemy." 

"  They  fought  nobly,  sir." 

"  By  what  miracle  did  you  and  your  servant 
escape?" 

"  Those  who  seek  death,  seldom  find  it,"  re- 
turned the  horseman. 

"  Are  you  then  weary  of  life?"  asked  the 
general,  regarding  him  attentively. 

' '  I  have  sought  an  honorable  death  on  many 
a  hard  fought  field ;  let  that  be  my  answer. 
At  the  Alamo  it  was  my  fortune  to  save  the  life 
of  a  young  Mexican  lad,  and  for  that  service  I 
was  spared  the  general  massacre.  I  regret  it 
but  little,  for  when  I  fall  I  would  fall  with  arms 
in  my  hands,  with  my  face  to  the  foe,  and  not 
be  slaughtered  like  an  ox  by  some  paltry  coward 
who  would  fear  to  meet  me  in  fair  fight.  My 
brave  companions  were  cut  down  around  me  }»y 
scores,  until  not  one  remained  1)ut  this  faithful 
African  who  is  with  me,  and  I  could  only  look 
on  and  witneas  the  indi.scriminate  slaughter,  and 
call  on  Heaven  for  vengeance." 

"  A  day  of  reckoning  .shall  come  !"  cried  the 
general,  grasping  his  sword  liilt,  while  his  nether 
lip  trembled  with  indignation.  "I  will  meet 
the  tyrant  face  to  face,  and  punish  him  for  his 
sins." 

"The  news  I  bring  should  rally  every  man 
m  Tqxas,  capable  of  bearing  arms." 

"It  should  ;  but  there  are  unfortunate  divi- 
sions among  us  which  bring  us  more  misfortimes 
than  any  other  cause  ;  but  thank  Heaven,  there 
are  those  who  will  follow  me  to  battle,  and  do 
all  that  their  country  and  the  warmest  patriot- 
ism can  demand." 

"  Have  I  the  honor  of  addressing  the  gencral- 
iu-chief  of  the  Texan  army  ?" 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


9 


"My  name  is  Houston,  sir." 

"  A  name  already  well  known  to  fame  ;  but 
there  are  those  who  affirm  that  you  are  opposed 
to  prosecuting  an  energetic  war,  such  as  the 
present  crisis  requires." 

"  Let  those  who  assert  that  I  am  opposed  to 
decisive  measures,  shoulder  their  guns  and  fol- 
low me ;  and  he  who  is  the  first  to  tm-n  back, 
let  posterity  brand  him  a  coward,  and  a  traitor 
to  his  country." 

"  I  believe  not  all  the  tales  I  have  heard. 
That  you  are  a  brave  man,  has  been  proved  to 
the  world.  I  shall  keep  myself  advised  of  your 
movenicuts  as  much  as  possible,  and  when  there 
is  fighting  to  be  done,  I  shall  be  neai*  you  to 
take  pai't  in  it." 

"Your  bold  bearing,  your  free  speech,  your 
soiled  and  blood-stained  garments  all  assure  me 
that  you  can  fight.  May  I  ask  the  name  of  one 
who  braves  death  so  fearlessly?" 

"  My  name  can  be  of  little  consequence  to 
you,  but  it  were  uncourteous  not  to  give  a  fitting 
answer.  I  am  called  Ethington  ;  but  I  care 
not  to  be  known,  or  would  be  known  only  by 
my  deeds." 

"  "Brave  men  should  not  give  place  to  mis- 
anthropy, because,  forsooth,  the  lady  of  their 
love  has  proved  fickle  or  unkind.  Away  with 
melancholy,  sir,  for  fortune  seldom  forsakes  one 
not  to  return  again." 

"  The  advice  is  frankly  given  and  well  meant ; 
but  I  regret  to  say  that  upon  one  like  me,  it  is 
tin-own  away.  I  hope,  in  return,  that  you  will 
never  live  to  tarnish  the  fame  which  you  have 
won,  and  that  you  may  finish  the  bright  career 
before  you  with  honor  unsullied  by  a  single  act 
of  cowardice  or  indiscretion." 

"  The  word  cowardice  is  offensive,  sir.  What- 
ever changes  time  may  produce,  it  will  fail  to 
make  me  a  coward,"  said  the  general,  contract- 
ing his  brows.  "  You  shall  have  war,  and  war 
to  the  knife.  I  say  it — Sam  Houston  says  it — 
and  no  man  can  say  these  lips  ever  uttered  a 
falsehood."* 

' '  Texas  looks  to  you  for  aid  in  this  trying 

*  Language  like  this  has  been  attributed  to  the  Jiero 
of  San  Jacinto. 


crisis ;  Heaven  grant  that  she  look  not  in  vain. 
Adieu,  general,  and  when  next  we  meet,  may 
it  be  where  the  banner  of  the  '  Lone  Star ' 
waves  triumphantly  on  the  field  of  battle." 

Ethington  touched  his  cap  and  moved  on, 
followed  by  the  negro.  Houston  gazed  after 
him  for  a  moment,  and  then  turning  slowly, 
walked  back  to  his  party,  with  the  sorrowful  in- 
telligence that  the  Alamo  had  fallen,  and  the 
devoted  gai-rison  was  no  more. 

[see  engraving.] 

"Felix,"  said  Ethington,  to  his  colored  ser- 
vant. 

"  Did  you  spoke  to  dis  culhid  gembleman, 
massa?"  said  the  latter,  rolling  up  the  whites 
of  his  eyes. 

"Do  you  know  where  we  are  ?"  asked  Ething- 
ton. 

"  Li  course  I  do." 

"Well,  where  are  we?" 

"Li  Texas,  accordin'  to  de  rules  ob  jography 
as  dey  manifest  theirselves  to  de  invisable  seiLses 
ob  dis  enlightened  nigger." 

"  Nonsense,  you  thick-headed  fellow.  I  mean 
in  what  particular  locality  are  we?" 

"  Now  you  begin  to  'press  yourself  to  de  un- 
derstandin'  ob  dis  here  indervidooal ;  but  I 
can't  tell  you  noffin  about  it ;  'kas  why  I  never 
studied  dar  fine  arts.  Why  didn't  you  ax  de 
big  capen'  wid  de  elephants  on  his  shoulders?" 

"Epaulettes,  you  mean." 

"  What's  de  odds ;  dey  all  magnify  dar  same 
ting,  'cordin'  to  de  enlightened  views  ob  dis 
'telligent  darkey." 

"  We  must  be  near  the  Colorado  river,"  add- 
ed Ethington,  musingly. 

"  Now  look  a  here,  massa.  I'm  got  enuff  ob 
dis  fightin'  bisness ;  and  I  motion  dat  we  leave 
Mcxus  and  Texico  by  dar  fu.st  boat.  Why 
don't  you  disremember  dat  discompassionate 
white  gal,  and  go  an  be  as  you  used  to  wji-s?" 

"  Be  careful  how  you  .speak  of  Andrea  St. 
Aubert,  Felix.  Her  name,  in  my  presence, 
must  be  spoken  with  respect." 

"  She'll  be  dar  death  ob  dis  nigger,"  said 
Felix,  with  a  sigh.      "  If  it  hadn't  been  for  her, 


10 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


you  wouldn't  been  here  In  all  dese  scrapes, 
fightin'  like  wild  cats,  and  I  at  your  heels,  like- 
ly to  be  killed  any  minnit." 

"  I  did  not  ask  you  to  follow  me  ;  I  gave  you 
your  choice  to  go  or  stay." 

"  Darfore  you  am  to  blame,  for  you  knew  dis 
darkey  feller  wouldn't  leave  you.  Whar  you 
go,  dar  dis  nigger  goes,  and  dar's  no  rubbin'  it 
out,  no  how  you  can  fix  it.  Yah,  yah  ?  heah, 
heah !" 

"  You  are  a  faithful  fellow,  Felix,  and  it  goes 
against  my  better  feelings  to  lead  you  into  dan- 
ger. Should  you  fall,  I  should,  in  some  meas- 
ure, feel  that  I  was  the  cause  of  yoiu:  death. 
Once  more  I  give  you  free  permission  to  leave 
me  and  seek  a  place  of  safety.  As  for  myself, 
I  seek  excitement,  danger,  battle  and  death." 

"  You  ean't  be  killed  no  how  ;  you  might  as 
well  give  it  up  fust  as  last.  Why  wasn't  you 
killed  at  the  takin'  of  Bexar,  or  Goliad,  and  at 


other  great  fights  dat  you've  been  in  ?  As  for 
leavin'  you,  I  have  'spressed  myself  fully  on 
dat  'portant  subjeck,  and  de  natur'  ob  my  sen- 
timents remains  dar  same  through  all  changes 
ob  dar  climate  and  wicisitudes  ob  dar  weather." 

The  parties  rode  on  in  silence  for  some  dis- 
tance. The  sound  of  water  was  at  length  heard 
and  they  soon  reached  the  Colorado,  whose  banks 
were  fringed  with  broad  woodlands,  broken  into 
bold  bluffs,  or  covered  with  grass,  bordering 
upon  prairies  and  affording  pasturage,  where  the 
wild  mustang,  the  deer  and  the  buffalo  were 
often  seen. 

The  horses  were  turned  loose,  and  Ethington 
and  his  servant  took  peaceable  possession  of  a 
small  cabin  near  the  river,  which  had  evidently 
been  occupied  by  some  person  quite  recently. 
Felix  kindled  a  fire,  and  Ethington  took  his 
rifle  and  went  in  quest  of  game,  for  neither  had 
tasted  food  since  the  previous  day. 


CHAPTER  II. 


RIDGLEY OLD     KENTUCK THE    SCOUTING     PARTY A    SKIRMISH. 


T  will  be  understood  by  tlie  perusal  of  tbe 
foregoing  chapter,  that  our  hero  had  met 
witli  some  severe  disappointment  in  matters  per- 
taining to  the  heart,  which  had  driven  him  from 
his  home  and  friends,  and  made  him  a  reckless 
wanderer  in  the  wilds  of  Texas. 

The  particular  circumstances  which  had  led  to 
these  results  shall  be  made  known  to  the  read- 
er in  due  time.  It  is  enough  for  the  present 
purpose  to  say  that  he  had  been  deeply  enamor- 
ed with  a  young  lady,  by  the  name  ot  Andrea 
St.  Aubert,  and  for  a  brief  period  had  firmly 
believed  that  his  passion  was  reciprocated. 

Miss  St.  Aubert  was  endowed  with  rai-e 
beauty  of  person,  and  those  excellent  gifts  of 
the  mind  which  are  calculated  to  charm  and 
dazzle  those  withm  the  sphere  of  its  influence. 
Walter  Ethington  was  at  length,  as  he  believed, 
undeceived  in  relation  to  the  object  of  his  idol- 
atry (for  his  love  fell  little  short  of  adoration). 
He  obtained  such  proofs  of  her  inconstancy  that 
he  felt  all  was  at  an  end  between  them.  Ad- 
dressing her  a  hasty  note,  full  of  reproaches  for 
her  perfidy,  he  left  Louisiana,  his  native  State, 


determmed  never  to  return,  but  to  unite  his 
fortunes  to  the  Texan  patriots  who  were  strug- 
gling for  their  liberties,  and  die  like  a  brave 
man  fighting  to  the  last. 

The  cup  of  his  short-lived  happiness  was  dash- 
ed to  the  earth,  and  he  desii-ed  to  live  no  long- 
er. His  negro  servant  refused  to  desert  him, 
and  had  shared  all  the  dangers  of  his  reckless 
career  since  entering  Texas.  He  had  been  in 
many  engagements,  fought  boldly,  and  exposed 
himself  rashly  to  the  enemy ;  but  strange  to  re- 
late, had,  miraculously  as  it  would  almost  seem, 
escaped  death ;  and  to  crown  all  had  passed, 
through  the  terrible  tragedy  of  the  Alamo,  un- 
scathed, while  over  one  hundred  and  eighty  men 
had  fallen. 

Walter  Ethington  was  about  twenty-four 
years  of  age,  and  had  been  pronounced  "  hand- 
some "  by  the  ladies,  who  are  competent  judges 
in  such  matters,  as  every  man  of  gallantry  will 
allow.  In  figure  he  was  rather  above  the  me- 
dium size,  straight  as  an  arrow,  firm  and  inde- 
pendent in  his  bearing.  He  was  brave  in  bat- 
tle, and  liis  voice  was  the   first  to  c'.ieer  on   to 


12 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


the  thickest  of  the  fight.  Without  farther  de- 
scription of  our  hero,  we  will  proceed  with  our 
story. 

Having  examined  his  rifle  to  see  if  it  were  in 
proper  order,  he  followed  the  general  course  of 
the  river  througli  a  dense  forest  of  live  oak  and 
walnut,  occasionally  interspersed  with  the  ash 
and  sycamore,  pausing  at  intervals  to  watch  the 
waters  hurrying  on  to  be  discharged  into  the 
Grulf  of  Mexico.  Emerging  from  the  wood  after 
half  an  hour's  walk,  he  stood  on  the  border  of  a 
small,  rolling  prairie,  green  with  grass  and 
shrul)bery.  At  that  moment  he  saw  a  deer 
quietly  browsing  at  the  distance  of  about  three 
hundred  yards.  Ethington  was  a  good  marks- 
man, and  though  conscious  that  it  was  a  long 
shot,  resolved  to  fire  without  incurring  the  risk 
of  losing  the  opportunity  by  attempting  to  get 
nearer. 

He  discharged  his  piece  witliout  lo.ss  of  time, 
and  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  deer  run 
a  short  distance  and  ^fall.  Having  reloaded  his 
rifle,  he  was  proceeding  to  take  possession  of 
his  game,  when  tlio  .sound  of  paddles,  dipping 
quickly  and  regularly  into  the  water,  readied 
hLs  ears. 

The  bank  of  the  river  was  but  a  few  paces 
from  hun,  but  when  he  reached  it,  a  small  boat 
had  touched  the  shore,  and  a  tall  man  had  leap 
ed  out,  leaving  a  lad  seated  upon  the  middle 
thwart.  The  person  who  had  landed  was  pro- 
bably past  thirty  years  of  age,  not  very  fleshy, 
but  muscular  enough  to  indicate  much  physical 
strength.  His  features,  though  tanned  by  ex- 
posure, were  regular,  strongly  marked  and  bold 
in  their  expression.  His  apparel  was  of  coarse, 
home-made  fal)ric,  calculated  more  for  service 
than  show.  His  cap  was  of  skin,  and  though 
not  an  ornamental  one,  served  all  the  purposes 
of  the  wearer.  In  his  hand  he  held  that  indis- 
pensable attendant  of  the  backwoodsman — a 
rifle.  The  one  who  still  occupied  the  boat,  ap- 
j)eared  to  be  a  mere  lad,  of  perhaps  thirteen  or 
fourteen  years,  and  Walter  did  not  trouble  him- 
self to  bestow  much  notice  upon  him.  The  man 
ascended  the  bank  and  approached  Ethington. 
"  Again  we  meet,   but  I  regret   to  see  you 


have  not  profited  by  my  advice,"  he  said,  with 
some  coldness  of  manner. 

"  I  have  not,  neither  did  I  intend  to,"  re- 
plied Walter.  "  Why  you  take  the  liberty  to 
interest  yourself  in  my  affairs,  I  know  not ;  but 
I  will  assure  you,  as  I  did  at  our  first  meeting, 
that  I  thank  yau  not  for  your  interference.  By 
some  means.  Heaven  knows  how,  you  have  ob- 
tained some  knowledge  of  my  past  life,  and  have 
presumed  to  make  use  of  it  under  the  mask  of 
friendship,  disinterested,  and  all  those  fine 
things ;  but  you  are  mistaken  in  your  man.  I 
know  my  own  mind,  and  am  pleased  to  follow 
my  own  mcliuations. " 

"  Headstrong  boy,  how  long  will  it  be  ere 
you  listen  to  the  voice  of  reason  ?  Whatever 
friendship  I  might  have  professed  to  feel  for  you, 
on  the  occasion  of  our  first  meeting,  was  real 
and  not  affected,  and  is  in  nowise  duninished 
to-day.  What  if  you  do  not  understand  the 
motives  which  have  impelled  me  to  interest  my- 
self in  your  welfare.  Judge  me  as  you  find  me, 
according  to  my  actions,  and  not  according  to 
your  own  prejudices.  Go  back  to  Andrea  St. 
Aubert,  whom  you  have  basely  forsaken,  and 
upon  your  knees  beg  to  be  forgiven,  and  rein- 
stated in  her  favor." 

' '  Never,  sir  !  I  have  had  sufiicicnt  proofs 
of  her  inconstancy,  and  to  speak  farther  upon 
this  subject  will  be  to  oflfer  me  a  personal  af- 
front." 

"  Were  Andrea  St.  Aubert  to  declare  with 
her  ovrn  fair  lips  that  she  had  sacredly  kept  her 
faith  to  you,  would  you  believe  her,  or  would 
you  notV"  added  the  stranger,  somewhat 
sternly. 

"  How  could  I  believe  her,  sir,  when  I  have 
the  evidence  of  my  own  eyes.  Leave  me ;  I 
tell  you  I  will  hear  no  more.  Go  and  give 
your  advice  to  yonder  beardless  boy ;  he  will 
perhaps  li.sten  to  you.  When  I  need  your 
counsel,  I  will  seek  you  out  and  ask  it  boWly  ; 
until  then,  do  not  forget  that  we  are  strangers." 

Walter  spoke  with  much  energy  and  bitter- 
ness, and  when  he  had  cea.sed  turned  his  back 
towards  the  unknown  and  was  walking  away. 

"  One  word  more  before  we  part.  You  are 
in  danger,"  added  the  man,  earnestly. 


>?^^^ 


^f. 


> 


i^^ 


WALTER    ETHINGTOX,    THE    TEXAN    BRAVO. SEE    CHAPTER    I.      PAGE  9. 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


15 


"  So  are  all  men  ;  but  I  have  ceased  to  fear 
danger." 

"  ±}ut  It  IS  near — even  at  the  door,  to  use  a 
scriptural  phrase . ' ' 

"  So  much  the  better  ;  let  it  come.  Any- 
thing is  better  than  monotony  and  inactivity." 

"  There  are  those  wlio  seek  your  life." 

"  Let  them  take  it ;  for  it  has  lost  its  value." 

"  You  will  not  be  warned  ?" 

"  I  tha}ik  you  not  for  this  ofEciousness.  Per- 
haps your  offers  are  well  meant ;  I  know  not 
and  care  less.  I  am  not  in  a  reasonable  mood, 
and  have  no  desire  to  be  otherwise.  I  have  be- 
come indifferent  to  all  the  common  affairs  of 
life.  Deceived  where  I  trusted  tlie  most,  I  no 
longer  lay  myself  liable  to  deception  by  tmsting 
again.  Unloved  where  I  loved  the  most  ten- 
derly, I  no  longer  bestow  my  love  upon  those 
who  are  no  better,  and  but  dust  and  ashes,  like 
her  and  myscli'.  If  I  appear  rude  and  ungrate- 
ful, you  know  why  I  am  so,  and  thus  have  the 
reason  of  my  ingi-atitude  and  rudeness.  To 
warn  wie  of  danger  is  time  lost,  for  it  is  what 
you  term  '  danger  '  that  I  seek  ;  and  if  you  will 
inform  me  in  wliat  direction  to  find  it,  there  will 
I  hasten  to  meet  it,  and  feel  a  pleasure  in  doing 
so." 

"  The  rash  boldness  that  has  signalized  you 
in  the  hour  of  battle,  has  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  enemies  ef  Texas,  and  a  certain  number 
of  them  under  the  command  of  one  Garcia,  a 
desperate  fellow,  have  devoted  themselves  to  the 
task  of  destroying  the  '  Texan  Bravo,'  as  you 
are  styled  among  them,"  said  the  unknown, 
without  heeding  the  remarks  of  Ethington. 

"  That  suits  me  well,"  replied  Walter,  with 
a  smile.  "It  will  afford  me  excitement,  and 
give  me  an  opportunity  to  merit  the  name  they 
have  bestowed  upon  me.  Let  them  come — the 
'  Texan  Bravo '  is  ready ;  my  life  shall  cost 
them  a  dozen  of  their  best  men.  Sorrow  to 
him  who  comes  within  the  range  of  this  rifle,  for 
these  '  sights  '  never  cover  their  object  in  vain. 
And  see,  if  they  venture  to  close  quarters,  here 
are  my  pistols  and  bowie  knife,  ready  to  receive 
them  ;  while  my  arms  have  the  physical  power 
of  three  such  cowardly  fellows." 


"  This  is  sheer  madness,"  said  the  stranger. 
"  To  say  more  is  useless.  I  abandon  you  to 
your  fate." 

"  Allow  me  to  ask  the  name  of  such  a  disin- 
terested friend,"  added  Ethuigton,  somewhat 
sarcastically. 

"  My  name  is  Ridgley,"  replied  the  other, 
then  walked  thouglitfully  towards  the  boat, 
puslied  it  from  the  shore,  stepped  in,  took  his 
seat  in  the  stern,  and  paddled  down  the  stream 
with  the  lad. 

Walter  looked  after  them  a  moment,  and  then 
went  to  take  possession  of  his  game.  Cutting 
the  choicest  portions  from  the  deer,  he  placed 
them  upon  his  shoulders,  and  retraced  his  steps 
to  the  cabin.  Felix  now  performed  his  part, 
and  very  soon  they  were-  dining  upon  roasted 
venison,  which  emitted  a  most  savory  odor,  es- 
pecially for  the  olfactories  of  a  hungry  man. 

When  Ethington  had  satisfied  the  demands  of 
hunger,  he  laid  down  by  the  blazing  fii-e  and 
slept.  He  was  not  long  permitted  to  enjoy  this 
luxury  uninterrupted.  He  was  aroused  from 
his  dreams  by  Felix,  who  affirmed  that  he  had 
seen  a  man  in  the  vicinity  of  the  cabin,  who  ap- 
peared to  reconnoitre  the  premises  without  being 
seen.  This  suspicious  individual,  he  further- 
more asserted,  was  a  Mexican,  and  was  lurking 
about  for  no  good. 

Ethington  endeavored  to  assuage  the  fears  of 
his  servant,  teUing  him  that  his  imagination,  ex- 
cited by  the  horrors  he  had  recently  witnessed, 
had  transformed  some  wild  animal  into  a  Mexi- 
can scout.  But  in  this  benevolent  effort  he  en- 
tirely fiiiled.  Felix  could  by  no  means  be  in- 
duced to  believe  for  a  moment  that  he  had  made 
such  a  mistake. 

Our  hero  now  recalled  the  warning  words  of 
Ridgley,  and  resolved  to  watch  for  the  appear- 
ance of  the  object  of  his  servant's  alarm.  Hav- 
ing prevailed  on  the  latter  to  lie  down  and  take 
the  rest  he  so  much  needed,  Walter  took  his 
rifle,  and  from  the  crevices  on  either  side  of  the 
cabin,  commenced  his  vigils. 

For  a  long  time  he  kept  liis  eyes  fixed  upon 
the  surrounding  woods  witliout  nuJving  any  dis- 
coveries.    This  iiionutonous    cmp!(iyiiicnt   soon 


16 


THE  TEXAN  BllAYO. 


had  its  effect  upon  liim  ;  the  lids  fell  slowly  over 
the  drowsy  orbs,  and  he  lost  all  consciousness  of 
passing  events.  He  was  awakened  from  this 
happy  state  of  somnolency,  Ly  the  sound  of 
heavy  footsteps.  He  looked  up  and  belield  a 
man  in  buckskin  breeches,  short  hunting  frock, 
moccasons,  and  a  seal-skin  cap,  stooping  forward 
to  enter  the  cabin. 

"  Where  are  you  from,  and  what  is  your  pur- 
pose?" exclaimed  Ethington,  cocking  his  rifle. 

"  I  was  raised  in  Old  Kentuck,  stranger, 
I'm  half  boss  and  half  alligator.  I  belong  to 
one  o'  the  smartest  nations  on  the  face  of  the 
airth.  Give  us  a  chaw  of  tobacco,"  said  the  in- 
truder, in  an  off  hand  way. 

"  I  don't  use  the  weed,  but  I  believe  my 
black  fellow  does,"  said  Walter. 

"  Get  up,  Snowball,"  added  the  Kentuckian, 
giving  Felix  a  push  with  his  foot.  "  Get  up, 
and  shell  out  some  Cavendish,  and  set  the  meat 
to  roastin'.     I'm  as  hungry  as  a  shark." 

"  Did  you  'dress  yourself  to  dLs  colltid  pus- 
sonV  said  Felix,  rubbing  his  eyes  in  astonish- 
ment. 

"  Stir  yourself,  darkey,  or  I'll  give  you  a 
taste  of  Old  Kentuck."  Then  he  added,  turn- 
ing to  Ethington  :  "  Stranger,  have  you  been 
long  in  these  diggins?" 

"  Several  months,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Been  in  any  lights  V" 

"A  few." 

"  Can  you  stand  fire  ?" 

"A  little." 

"  Cut  off  a  sparrow's  head  at  three  hundred 
yards  with  a  rifle?" 

"  Never  tried." 

"  I  have,  and  can  do  it.  I'm  a  whole  team 
and  a  dog  under  the  wagon.  Did  you  ever 
hear  of  the  Texan  Rangers?"  . 

"  Often,  sir." 

"  They  are  perfect  bosses,  stranger,  and  I'm 
the  alligator  as  connuands  'em.  Do  you  see 
this  hollow  piece  of  steel  V  It  carries  ten  balls 
to  the  pound,  and  is  sartain  death."* 

*  It  is  affirmed  that  Captain  Ewin  Cameron,  of  the 
Mier  Expedition,  had  a  rifle  that  carried  ten  balis  to 
the  pound. 


"  How  many  does  your  company  number?" 

"  Only  twenty-five  now;  the  rest  on  'em  are 
in  the  chapparels  and  on  the  prairies,  where  they 
fell  fighting  like  true  sons  of  Kentucky." 

"  You  and  your  '  Rangers  '  were  at  the  tak- 
ing of  San  Antonio  de  Bexar?" 

"  Right,  stranger,  and  there  was  warm  work 
there,  I  tell  you  ;  for  the  place  was  defended  by 
eleven  hundred  men.  We  were  at  the  battle 
preceding  it,  at  Conception  Mission,  and  did 
good  service.  Was  you  at  the  taking  of  the 
Alamo,  stranger?" 

"  I  was,  and  was  there  also  when  it  was  lost, 
and  witnessed  the  butchery  of  my  brave  com- 
rades in  arms." 

"  You  don't  mean  to  say  that  the  Alamo  has 
been  re-taken  by  the  Mexicans?" 

"It's  too  true,  my  brave  friend,  and  those 
who  fought  side  by  side  with  yom*  'Rangers,' 
will  hear  the  thunders  of  battle  no  more." 

The  bold  ranger  was  speechless  with  surprise 
and  grief,  and  uttered  not  a  word  until  Ething- 
ton had  given  the  particulars  of  the  sad  affair. 
He  then  swore  l)y  the  State  of  Kentucky,  and 
the  "  'tarnalest  groat  Republic  in  the  world," 
to  avenge  the  death  of  those  who  had  been 
treacherously  slaughtered  at  Fort  Alamo. 

'' Go  yer  detli,  mas.sa  Kentuck!"  exclaimed 
Felix,  who,  while' cooking  the  venison,  did  not 
forget  to  listen  to  the  conversation. 

"  Where  is  your  company?"  a.sked  Walter. 

"A  few  miles  below,  restin' a  little  after 
hard  ser\ice."  Our  hero  now  informed  liini 
about  what  Felix  had  seen,  and  the  ranger  ad- 
vised him  to  have  their  horses  bi-Dught  in,  to 
guard  against  their  being  stolen  by  any  scouting 
parties  of  the  enemy  that  might  be  lurking  about 
that  vicinity.  This  advice  was  too  reasonable 
to  be  slighted.  The  animals  were  soon  caught 
by  Felix,  and  with  the  assistance  of  the  Ken- 
tuckian, secured  in  a  proper  manner  in  frcmt  of 
the  cabin. 

When*  Ethington  awoke  in  the  morning,  after 
a  refreshing  sleep,  which  he  had  very  much 
needed,  he  was  greatly  astonished  at  finding  a 
gold  chain  of  elaborate  workmanship  wound 
liglitly  about  his  wrist,  with  a  small  piece  of 
paper  attached  to  it. 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


17 


He  recognized  the  ornament  at  a  glance,  for 
he  had  in  happier  days  given  it  to  Andrea  St. 
Aubert.  But  how  came  it  in  its  present  situa- 
tion ?  By  what  magic  had  it  been  returned  to 
him  ?  Perhaps  the  paper  would  tell.  He  has- 
tened to  examine  it,  and  found  only  the  follow- 
ing words  traced  in  the  fair  hand  of  Andrea  : 

"  This  chain  once  possessed  inestimable  value 
for  one  ;  but  has  now  lost  its  worth,  and  I  res- 
tore it  to  the  original  owner." 

This  was  all  the  paper  contained,  and  there 
was  no  signature,  but  the  chirography  could  not 
be  mistaken.  As  Ethington  gazed  at  the  chain, 
the  past  was  recalled  with  such  vividness,  that 
he  found  it  exceedingly  difficult  to  govern  his 
emotions.  He  heard  once  more,  in  imagination, 
the  soft  voice  of  Andrea,  beheld  her  face  in  its 
dazzling  beauty,  and  her  figure  in  its  exquisite 
grace.  He  shed  tears  as  he  thought  of  her  love- 
liness both  of  person  and  mind,  and  grew  indig- 
nant as  he  remembered  her  inconstancy. 

"0,  Andrea  I"  he  exclaimed,  "fair,  but 
false,  may  Heaven  forgive  you  for  tht  anguish 
you  have  caused  me." 

Ethington's  thoughts  naturally  led  him  to 
consider  by  what  singular  means  the  chain  and 
note  had  been  returned  ;  but  upon  that  interest- 
ing point  he  was  obliged  to  content  himself  with 
mere  conjecture.  He  finally  settled  down  into 
the  opinion  which  appeared  the  most  reasonable, 
that  Andrea  had  employed  some  person  to  re- 
store the  ornament,  and  that  person  had  faith- 
fully performed  the  commission.  Walter  would 
have  pondered  upon  this  subject  all  day,  most 
probably,  hadipiot  Captain  Wilson,  the  ranger, 
who  had  left  the  cabin  at  sunrise,  now  returned 
with  the  information  that  a  scouting  party  of 
the  enemy,  numbering  some  ten  or  fifteen  per- 
sons, were  in  the  neighborhood.  He  had  ap- 
proached the  spot  where  they  had  passed  the 
night,  and  discovered  them  engaged  in  prepar- 
ing and  eating  their  morning  meal. 

"  If  I'd  had  but  half  a  dozen  of  the  Rangers 
with  me,"  said  Wilson,  looking  wistfully  at  his 
rifle,  "few  of  'em  would  have  escaped  to  eat 
another  breakfast." 


"Have  the  enemy  ever  ventured  so  far  as 
here  before?"  asked  Ethington. 

"  Seldom  or  never;  but  they're  gettin'  un- 
commonly bold  now.  The  affair  of  the  Alamo 
gives  the  'tarnal  critters  the  idea  that  they've 
conquered  all  the  country ;  but  they'll  find 
themselves  mistaken  when  they  get  a  fair  speci- 
men of  Kentucky  sharp-shoot  in'.  What  do  you 
say  to  having  a  bru.sh  with  the  rascals?" 

"Nothing  could  be  more  agreeable,"  replied 
Walter,  "  for  I  have  reason  to  suppose  that  I 
am  the  object  of  their  pursuit.  I  have  been 
told  that  some  of  our  enemies  have  taken  par- 
ticular offence  at  my  mode  of  fighting,  and  have 
sworn  to  accomplish  my  death." 

"  Then  you  are  the  boss  they  call  the  Texan 
Bravo?"  rejoined  the  ranger,  quickly. 

"  I  believe  I  have  been  thus  called,"  answer- 
ed Walter;  "  but  it  is  a  title  I  never  coveted 
for  I  have  not,  and  do  not  seek  notoriety.  I 
wish  to  remain  unknown,  and  such  has  been  my 
desire  since  I  passed  the  boundary  of  my  native 
State." 

"  I  have  heard  about  your  fightin',"  said 
Wilson,  "  and  they  say  there  is  a  great  deal  of 
the  wild  boss  in  you,  with  a  small  sprinklin'  of 
the  Kentucky  alligator  and  snappin'  turtle." 

"  Yah,  yah  !  heah,  heah  !  What  a  querious 
speciment  ob  human  natur  !"  exclaimed  Felix 
displaying  two  rows  of  ivory. 

"  In  what  way  do  you  propose  to  fight  this 
scouting  party,  Captain  Wilson?"  asked  Wal- 
ter. 

"  I  will  tell  you  the  plan  I  have  thought  of; 
you  and  I  will  mount  the  two  bosses,  and  ride 
near  enough  to  attract  their  attention,  and  then 
fly  from  them  as  though  we  were  riding  for  dear 
life.  Thinking  we  are  frightened,  they  will 
mount  and  pursfle  us  pell-mell.  We  will  make 
a  break  directly  for  the  cabin,  take  our  bosses 
inside,  shut  and  bar  the  door,  and  then  shoot 
them  down  through  the  crevices  as  fast  as  tlicy 
show  their  heads." 

"  The  scheme  pleases  me;  let  us  hasten  to 
put  it  in  execution." 

"  Go  it,  massa  debbil !"  muttered  Felix,  not 
greatly  elated  at  the  prospect  of  a  hard  fight. 


18 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


"  But  first,  let  us  see  if  we  can  get  the  horses 
inside  this  door,"  added  Walter. 

Upon  trial,  the  door  was  found  large  enough 
to  admit  the  horses  without  difficulty.  The  two 
then  mounted,  and  rifle  in  hand  rode  off,  the 
ranger  leading  the  way.  A  ride  of  ten  minutes 
brought  them  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of 
the  scouting  party.  Turning  a  little  towards 
the  prairie  on  the  right,  they  came  suddenly  in 
sight  of  the  enemy,  who  set  up  a  great  shout, 
and  sprang  instantly  upon  their  mustangs,  which 
were  standing  saddled  and  bridled  near  them. 
Ethington  and  Wilson  now  turned  and  fled,  as 
had  been  agreed  upon,  and  thereupon  ensued  a 
scampipring  and  scattering  of  the  wildest  and 
most  exciting  kind.  They  put  then-  mustangs 
to  their  best  speed,  and  a  dozen  escopetas  were 
discharged  in  as  many  seconds ;  but  the  balls 
fell  short,  or  whistled  harmlessly  by  the  pur- 
sued. 

"  HuiTah  for  Old  Kcntuck  I"  cried  the  ran- 
ger, and  slackening  his  speed,  brought  his  rifle 
to  his  face  and  fired.  A  stout  fellow  tumbled 
from  his  .seat,  and  the  riderless  mustang,  not 
knowing  what  else  to  do,  kept  on  Avith  the  rest, 
and  being  relieved  of  his  burden,  made  the  best 
headway  of  any.  Ethington,  not  wishing  to  be 
outdone  b^' the  "  alligator,  from  Kentucky," 
followed  his  example  with  equal  success.  . 

The.se  feats  greatlj^  enraged  their  pursuers. 
They  yelled  with  redoubled  energy,  and  urged 
on  their  mustangs  witli  new  zeal ;  but  the  large, 
fine  animals  ridden  by  Walter  and  the  captain, 
easily  kept  out  of  range  of  the  escopetas.  In 
order  to  prolong  the  sport  (for  such  they  con- 
sidered it) ,  they  had  diverged  considerably  from 
a  direct  course  towards  the  cabin,  and  they  now 
saw,  with  some  alarm,  that  several  of  their  ene- 
mies were  making  directly  for  the  place  of  their 
retreat,  apparently  for  the  purpose  of  cutting 
them  off;  which  event  would  leave  them  only 
the  alternative  of  trusting  to  the  fleetness  of 
their  horses,  and  throw  Felix  into  their  power. 

Both  of  our  friends  perceived  the  importance 
of  frustrating  this  design,  lost  the  negro  should 
pay  the  penalty  of  their  rashness  with  his  life  ; 
a  calamity  which  Ethington  would  have  greatly 


regretted,  and  a  poor  reward  for  the  fidelity 
which  had  induced  him  to  follow  his  unhappy 
master  into  the  swamps,  chapparels  and  prairies 
of  Texas,  to  urge  war  upon  a  people  destitute 
of  honor  and  humanity. 

"  Let  us  charge  through  the  foremost  of  the 
cowardly  curs !"  cried  Ethington.  Turnin'g 
the  heads  of  their  powerful  horses  in  another 
direction,  slinging  their  rifles  upon  their  backs, 
and  grasping  their  pi.stols,  they  bore  down  upon 
the  Mexicans  at  an  increased  speed.  This  sud- 
den manoeuvre  took  them  by  surprise,  as  they 
had  not  supposed  it  possible  that  two  men  could 
have  the  audacity  to  charge  a  dozen. 

Before  they  had  time  to  reflect  much  upon 
the  subject,  Ethington  and  the  ranger  were  in 
their  midst,  overturning  several  of  their  small 
mustangs  by  the  violence  of  the  charge.  Firing 
their  pistols  at  the  nearest,  they  da.«hed  on  with- 
out a  wound  or  a  scratch,  and  in  three  minutes 
from  that  time  were  safely  in  the  cabin,  much 
to  the  .satisfiiction  of  Felix,  who  had  heard  the 
screaming  and  yelling  of  the  enemy,  and  ex- 
pected every  moment  to  .';ce  them  thundering  up 
to  the  door.  The  horses  were  led  in,  the  door 
baiTicaded  in  a  proper  manner,  and  other  pre- 
parations for  defence  made.  These  necessary 
•preliminaries  were  scarcely  accomplished,  when 
the  enemy  came  in  sight,  upon  the  most  open 
side  of  the  little  fort^ — that  which  bordered  upon 
a  small  prairie  or  tract  of  pasture  land.  They 
halted  about  two  hundred  yards  from  the  cabin, 
and  appeared  to  be  holding  a  council  of' war. 

"  Sec  the 'tarnal  critters  I"  exclaimed  Wil- 
son, angrily  ;  "  huddled  together  like  a  flock  o' 
sheep.  If  they  were  Kentuckitms  or  Tcxans, 
we  shouldn't  stand  no  chance  at  M  of  our  lives; 
for  they'd  pull  this  log  hut  down  about  our  cars 
in  a  twinklin'.  Let's  give  'em  a  touch  of 
American  shooting." 

"Go  it,  massa  Kentuck  I"  cried  Felix,  get- 
ting somewhat  excited  with  the  idea  of  knock- 
ing a  Mexican  out  of  his  saddle,  without  giving 
him  tune  enougli  to  say  an  ave,  or  a  pater  nos- 
ter.  Their  rifles  were  thrust  carefully  through 
the  crevices  which  were  to  serve  as  port  holes. 
The  Mexicans  were  busily  engaged  in  talking, 
shouting  and  gesticulating. 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


19 


"  They  are  calling  upon  us  to  surrender," 
sulci  the  ranger,  with  a  laugh.  "  And  hear 
them  ;  they  are  promlsijig  us  good  u.sage." 

'^  Hadn't  we  better  surrender?"  said  "Wal- 
ter, gravely,  looking  at  Felix. 

"  We  got  euuff  ob  dat !"  rcplied-Felix,  with 
a  dismal  shake  of  the  head,  '"©is  nigger's 
going  to  fight." 

"  Look  through  your  sights  !"  cried  the  ran- 
ger.    "  Each  pick  his  man  and  pull  trigger." 

No  sooner  said  than  executed ;  the  rifles 
cracked  simultaneously  ;  two  of  them  fell  from 
their  saddles,  and  a  thu'd  gave  evidence  of  being 
badly  if  not  mortally  wounded.  He  was  lifted 
from  his  horse,  carried  farther  from  the  cabin, 
and  laid  upon  the  grass.  The  enemy  now  re- 
treated about  a  hundred  yards,  brandishing 
their  weapons,  and  uttering  all  kinds  of  impreca- 
tions upon  our  heroes. 

Their  courage  now  seemed  to  revive  a  little  ; 
they  galloped  furiously  towards  the  Texans,  and 
discharged  then'  escopates  against  the  logs, 
shouting  bravely,  and  scampered  back  to  their 
last  position  out  of  rifle  range,  as  they  flattered 
themselves.       The   balls    showerefl   harmlessly 


upon  the  cabin,  doing  no  other  injury  than  mak- 
ing the  splinters  fly  merrily,  and  frightening 
their  horses. 

"I  wish  we  could  pick  off  the  leader,"  said 
Wilson.  "  The  rest  of  them  would  then  go 
about  their  business." 

"  That  will  be  difiicult ;  for  the  one  who  ap- 
pears to  be  the  leader,  keeps  himself  covered  by 
his  men,"  replied  Walter. 

Again  the  deadly  rifles  were  levelled  and 
sent  forth  their  leaden  messengers  with  uner- 
ring certainty.  Astonished  beyond  description 
by  this  specimen  of  Texan  marksmanship,  the 
scouting  party  wheeled  their  horses  to  the  right 
about  face,  and  were  soon  beyond  the  reach  of 
fire-arms. 

Walter,  with  that  reckless  courage  which  liad 
characterized  all  his  movements  since  he  had  led 
that  singular  life,  proposed  that  they  should 
mount  their  horses  and  pursue  the  retreating 
party ;  but  this  rash  movement  was  opposed  by 
Wilson  and  Fehx,  particularly  by  the  latter, 
who  felt  anxious  for  his  own  safety  as  well  as 
his  master's,  conserpently  the  idea  was  aban- 
doned. 


\ 


CIL4PTER  III. 


A    RUSE   DE    GUERRE— THE     CONFLICT     RENEWED. 


aN  a  short  time  several  of  the  enemy  appeared 
bearing  a  white  fljig  ;  and  not  daring  to  Ven- 
ture very  near,  hy  screaming  and  hallf>oing, 
signified  that  they  wished  to  carry  off  their  dead 
and  wounded.  This  they  were  permitted  to  do 
without  interntption  ;  but  the  Imsiness  appejired 
to  proceed  very  slnwly,  and  they  returned  sev- 
eral times,  when  it  might  reasonably  have  been 
supposed  they  could  have  accomplished  the  ta.sk 
in  less  than  half  the  time. 

Supposing  that  the  fighting  was  ended.  Felix 
began  to  unbar  the  door,  under  the  impression 
that  farther  precaution  was  unnecessary.  He 
had  scarcely  removed  the  fostenings,  when  there 
was  a  sudden  rush  from  the  woods  upon  the 
rear  of  the  cabin,  and  renewed  shouting  and 
firing.  While  the  others  had  been  attracting 
the  attention  of  Ethington  and  his  comrades, 
these  had  been  advancing  cautiously  on  foot  in 
another  direction  ;  and  now  threw  themselves 
against  the  door  with  a  violence  that  burst  it 
open  instantly.  The  two  foremost  fell  dead 
upon  the  threshold  before  the  rifles  of  Walter 
and  the  ranger,   and  the   head  of  a   third   was 


dashed  in  pieces  by  a  tremendous  blow  from 
Felix. 

The  ruse  having  proved  thu.s  successful, 
those  who  had  been  ostens^ibly  engaged  in  carry- 
ing away  the  wounded,  now  came  running  to 
the  assistance  of  their  companions,  and  a  most 
desperate  and  bloody  conflict  immediately  en- 
sued. The  numbers  of  the  enemy  had  not  been 
correctly  estimated ;  for,  notwithstatiding  those 
that  they  had  lost,  and  those  rendered  incapable 
of  fighting  by  their  wounds,  there  were  still 
eleven  to  contend  with  our  gallant  fellows. 

"  Strike  home  !"  cried  Ethington. 

"HuiTafor  oldKentuckT'  exclaimed  Wil- 
son.    "  Give  it  to  the  'tarnal  critters  1" 

"  Go  yer  deth,  massa  debbil  I"  yelled  Felix, 
exerting  his  gigantic  strength  in  a  manner  which 
defied  all  opposition,  and  forced  the  enemy,  to 
give  ground  inch  by  inch,  leaving  several  of 
their  numbers  hore  du  combat,  and  some  who 
would  never  fight  again.  As  there  was  not 
room  enough  in  the  cal»in  for  them  to  use  their 
clubbed  rifles  with  sufficient  effect,  they  were 
thrown  aside,  and  that  fatal  weapon  drawn,  so 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


21 


well  known  in  the  south  and  southwest — the 
bowie-knife — and  the  work  of  slaughter  com- 
menced in  earnest. 

It  was  fortunate  for  our  heroes  that  all  the 
enemy  could  not  enter  and  fall  upon  them  at 
once ;  otherwise  the  conflict  might  soon  have 
been  brought  to  a  clo:-e. 

The  horses,  frightened  at  the  struggle  going 
on  about  them,  became  restive,  reared  and 
plunged,  and  finally  broke  through  the  Mexicans, 
who  were  forcing  themselves  in  at  tlie  door,  and 
gained  the  open  air,  leaving  more  room  within 
for  the  fight  to  go  on. 

This  sudden  movement  of  the  terrified  beasts 
somewhat  disconeeiled  the  enemy,  but  soon 
proved  for  their  advantage ;  in  a  moment  after 
Ethington  and  his  friends  were  completely  hem- 
med in,  and  there  seemed  but  little  prospect  of 
their  coming  out  of  the  melee  alive.  Each  did 
liis  best,  and  with  the  much  dreaded  bowie-knife, 
dealt  those  deadly  thmsts  which  tell  so  fearfully 
upon  the  body  of  an  adversary,  and  which  baffle 
so  effectually  the  skill  of  the  surgeon. 

But  the  strongest  arm  is  not  iron,  and  must 
feel  at  length  that  weariness  consequent  upon 
long  exertion  ;  and  it  grew  evident  that  a  con- 
flict so  unequal  could  not  last  nmch  longer. 
The  Mexicans  became  more  cautious  as  their 
numbers  decreased,  and  though  they  fought  des- 
perately, observed  more  prudence  in  their  as- 
saults. Felix  and  an  athletic  fellow  had  gi'ap- 
pled  with  each  other  in  an  embrace  which  was 
to  yield  only  to  the  embraces  of  death,  on  onp 
side  or  the  other,  and  were  now  upon  the  ground, 
struggling  with  all  the  fury  of  mortal  hate. 
They  rolled  over  and  over,  writhed^  twisted, 
and  mutually  strained  every  nerve,  while  two  or 
three  of  the  enemy  stood  with  uplifted  swords 
to  put  an  end  to  the  conflict  when  an  opportu- 
nity should  offer ;  but  the  evolutions  of  the  com- 
batants were  so  rapid,  that  they  could  not  strike 
without  endangering  their  comrade. 

At  length  the  sti-ong  hand  of  Felix  found  its 
way  to  his  adversary's  throat,  and  closed  upon 
it  with  all  its  muscular  force.  The  effect  was 
instantaneous ;  the  arms  of  the  Mexican  relax- 
ed their  hold,  his  face  grew  purple,  his  limbs 
2 


straightened  out,  and  the  next  moment  the 
knife  of  the  African  was  sheathed  in  his  heart. 

The  conqueror  cast  the  body  from  him.  arose 
with  a  triumphant  shout,  and  engageil  with  two 
more  with  unabated  ferocity  and  energy ;  for 
his  frame  seemed  proof  against  that  exliaustion 
whicli  his  master  and  the  Kontuckian  began  to 
feel. 

At  that  critical  juncture,  when  the  fate  of  the 
day  hung  doubtful,  a  new  shout  was  suddenly 
heard  to  mingle  with  the  confused  sounds  of  the 
fights — a  voice  cleai-  as  the  tones  of  a  silver 
trumpet,  and  fiercer  than  the  neigh  of  a  war- 
horse. 

Ethington  glanced  toward  the  door,  and  be- 
held the  towering  form  of  Ridgley  dashing  aside 
the  enemy,  as  if  they  were  mere  chiklren  in  his 
way. 

"  There's  for  the  death  of  Travis,  and  Crock- 
ett, and  Bowie  !"  he  cried,  dealing  a  blow  with 
a  good  sized  hunting  axe,  which  ho  wielded 
with  ease,  with  his  right  hand,  at  the  mention 
of  each  name.  The  fighting  instantly  ceased, 
and  those  who  could  do  so,  fled  without  loss  of 
time.  Six  of  the  eleven  were  left  behind,  af- 
fording ample  proofs  of  Texan  prowess. 

"Up  and  away!"  cried  Bidgley.  "There 
is  not  a  moment  to  lose.  Santa  Anna,  at  the 
liead  of  five  thousand  men,  is  marching  towai'ds 
Harrisburg.  The  van  of  the  ai-my  is  already 
within  an  hour's  marcli.  If  you  would  fight  for 
Texas,  join  General  Houston  without  delay." 

"  Are  you  sure  the  blanketed  critters  are 
comin'  V  asked  Wilson,  eagerly,  wlio  with 
Walter  and  the  negro  had  sunk  dov/n  well  nigh 
exhausted,  after  the  fight. 

"Yes,  I  am  sure  ;  an4  a  few  days  will  de- 
cide the  fate  of  the  '  Lone  Star,'"  replied 
Ridgley. 

"  Not  if  they  had  many  such  bosses  as  you 
are,"  added  the  ranger.  "  There's  a  quantity 
of  the  alligator  and  snappin'  turtle  about  you, 
with  a  wholesome  sprinklin'  of  Kentucky  cata- 
mounts. Shouldn't  wonder  if  you  was  raised  in 
them  parts?" 

Ridgley  made  no  answer  to  the  eomplinionta- 
ry  speeches  of  Wilson.     Ethington  would  gladly 


22 


THE  TP]XAN  BRAVO. 


have  asked  tae  former  if  he  had  aiij  knowledge 
of  the  means  whereby  the  chain  had  been  re- 
tm-ned,  but  his  pride  kept  him  silent  upon  the 
subject.  With  a  cold  and  formal  bow  to  our 
hero,  Eidgley  departed  as  abruptly  as  he  had 
appeared. 

Ethington,  not-vrithstanding  the  service  which 
the  Btrauger  had  rendered  him,  felt  relieved 
when  he  had  gone,  for  he  feared  he  would  again 
recur  to  Andrea,  the  object  of  his  unhappy  pas- 
sion, aud  the  cau.se  of  his  leading  a  life  so  wild 
and  erratic.  He  dared  not  tru.st  himself  to  hear 
a  name  mentioned  which  he  could  not  deny  was 
still  dear  to  him,  lest  it  might  revive  and  add 
new  strength  to  a  sentunent  which  he  had  sworn 
to  conquer,  though  he  could  not  hope  to  forgot. 
It  was  vnth.  feelings  of  peculiar  bitterness 
that  he  beheld  once  more  the  man  who  had 
boldly  accused  him  of  baseness  in  connection 
with  Miss  St.  Aubcrt.  Whether  he  was  a  real 
friend,  Ethington  had  not  yet  decided ;  but 
that  he  was  brave,  he  could  no  longer  doubt, 
for  he  had  now  seen  him  fight  with  heroic  cour^' 
tigo.  Walter  had  apprehended  that  Ridgley 
would  take  advantage  of  the  service  he  had 
rendered,  to  speak  to  him  again  in  relation  to 
tlie  subject  of  their  two  previous  interviews ; 
and  he  was  agreeably  disappointed  when  he  saw 
him  turn  and  walk  towards  the  river,  with  his 
long  rifle  upon  his  shoulder. 

Though  still  much  exhausted,  and  smarting 
from  the  pain  of  several  slight  wounds,  he  could 
not  resist  the  desire  to  watch  him,  and  see 
which  way  he  directed  his  foot.steps.  He  arose 
and  followed  him  slowly  to  the  bank  of  the 
Colorado,  aud  observed  his  movements — saw 
hun  step  into  a  boat  aad  paddle  to  the  opposite 
bank;  he  then  leaped  out  without  loss  of  tine. 
As  soon  as  his  foot  touched  the  shore,  he  saw 
the  lad  who  had  accompanied  him  on  the  occa- 
sion of  their  second  interview,  emerge  from  a 
thicket  of  willows. 

Upon  closer  scratiny,  Ethington  perceived 
two  horses  fa.steued  there.  Ridgley  led  them 
forth ;  assisting  his  youthful  companion  to  mount, 
and  then  leaped  upon  the  other  animal  himself, 
and  in  a  moment  the  parties  were  lost  to  view. 


Walter  johied  his  companions,  more  thoughtful 
than  usual,  even  for  him. 

Felix  had  caught  the  horses,  and  was  waiti^ 
his  master's  re-appearance,  in  order  to  depart. 

"  Now,"  said  Wilson,  "  I  will  lead  the  way, 
and  in  a  few  hours  we  will  be  with  the  Ranger?. 
The  ground  is  rather  rough  and  broken,  and  I 
can  go  as  fast  on  foot,  as  you  can  safely  travel 
on  horseback." 

Ethington  agi-eed  to  this  arrangement,  and 
they  set  fonvard  down  the  river.  When  they 
reached  Bastrop,  they  found  that  the  Rangers 
had  already  passed  over,  and  were  awaitjng 
Captain  Wilson  on  the  opposite  side.  They 
were  a  fine  company  of  men,  well-mounted  and 
accoutred,  and  were  nothing  daunted  by  the 
news  of  the  hostile  movements  of  the  enemy. 
With  three  cheers  for  the  "  Lone  Star,"  they 
vaulted  into  their  saddles  and  were  soon  in  m( « 
tiou.  Before  night  set  in,  they  joined  the 
forces  of  General  Houston,  who  was  marching 
towards  HarrLsburg  to  intercept  the  enemy  and 
tffor  him  battle. 

The  country  was  now  completely  alarmed, 
and  helpless  women  and  children  were  leaving 
their  hitherto  peaceful  htun^to  .«cck  safety  iu 
some  other  quarter.  To  add  to  the  misfortunes 
of  the  times,  the  Convention  had  adjourned  with 
the  greatest  precipitation  fiom  AVashington  to 
Harrisburg,  in  order  to  secure  their  own  safety  ; 
or  possibly  because  they  believed  it  tlieir  duty 
to  do  so,  that  the  only  semblance  of  a  govern- 
ment in  Texas  might  not  fall  into  the  hands  of 
the  dictator. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  tlie  flight  of  the  Conven- 
tion greatly  increa.sed  the  dangers  of  that  period, 
inasmuch  as  it  weakened  tlie  confidence  of  the 
people,  and  prevented  tlie  gatlioring  of  reinforce- 
ments for  the  anny. 

Elated  Ijy  their  recent  victories,  the  enemy 
were  advancing  in  three  columns  to  crush  for- 
ever the  hopes  of  the  young  republic.  The 
centre  was  led  by  Santa  Anna  in  person,  from 
San  Antonio  de  Bexar,  intending  to  pa.ss 
through  Gonzales,  San  Felipe,  and  Washington, 
on  his  route  to  Nacadoches.  The  other  two 
columns,  under  Urrea  and  Gaono,  were  march- 


rilE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


23 


ing  forward  by  different  routes,  to  effect  a  junc- 
tion of  tlicir  forces  at  the  Comanche  crossing,  at 
Imnity  river. 

Santa  Anna,  hearing  that  the  Convention  had 
adjourned  to  Harrisburg,  changed  his  phms 
somewhat,  and  mai-chcd  directly  towards  that 
place,"  with  a  view  to  the  capture  of  the  new 
government.  The  Texan  army  now  numbered 
only  about  five  hundred  and  t\^nty  men,  but 
was  increased  to  seven  hundred  strong  by  the 
time  they  reached  San  Jacinto.  Previous  to 
that  event,  they  had  ^ceived  the  disheartening 
news,  that  Fannin  and  his  men  had  been  in- 
humanly massacred  at  Goliad.  This  piece  of 
infonnation  the  general  affected  to  treat  with  the 
greatest  contempt,  and  assured  his  little  band 
that  it  was  a  fabrication  of  the  enemy,  in  order 
to  frighten  them  into  submission ;  although  he 
entertained  no  doubt  in  regard  to  the  authen- 
ticity of  the  report. 

This  policy  on  the  part  of  Houston  proved  of 
great  advantage,  inasmuch  as  it  prevented  de- 
sertions among  his  men — an  inevitable  result, 
had  the  astounding  news  been  allowed  to  spread 
through  the  camp  uncontradicted.  The  general 
did  not  reach  Harrisburg  until  it  had  been  re- 
duced to  ashes  by  Santa  Anna.  The  army 
halted  near  the  smoking  ruins,  and  looked  upon 
them  with  stern  and  threatening  visages. 

"  Look  !"  said  Houston,  to  our  hero  ;  "see 
the  work  of  the  tyrant  and  the  assassm.  What 
man  is  there  among  us  who  will  not  fight,  after 
beholding  such  a  spectacle?" 

"  He  is  a  craven  indeed  who  will  not  fight 
for  his  liberty,  his  wife,  his  children,  or  his 
sweetheart,"  replied  Ethington. 

"  We  are  but  a  handful,"  returned  the  gen- 
eral;  "but  we  will  meet  the  enemy  and  con- 
quer, or  never  leave  the  field  alive.  I  will  give 
yonder  brave  fellows  a  battle-cry  which  shall 
endow  the  ami  of  each  with  the  strength  of  three 
of  their  adversaries.  Let  those  who  love  Texas 
follow  me  in  the  apjffoaching  fight,  and  if  I 
shrink  or  falter  in  my  duty,  may  Heaven  pun- 
ish me  upon  the  spot  by  the  ignoble  death  I 
should  so  richly  merit." 

"  The  man  who  fought  so  daringly  at  the 


Horse  Shoe,  can  never   be  justly  suspected  of 
cowardice  or  want  of  decision,"  said  Walter. 

"Without  stooping  to  flattery,"  answered 
the  general,  with  a  smile,  "  I  can  well  afford  to 
repay  the  generous  compliment ;  for  the  bold 
deeds  of  the  '  Texan  Bravo  '  are  well  known  to 
me.  I  feel  assured  that  you  will  set  our  men 
an  example  that  wUl  contribute  towards  the  suc- 
cess of  our  arms.  But,"  added  Houston,  in  a 
friendly  voice,  "  I  learij  with  regret  that  some 
dai'k  spirit  of  misanthropy  has  settled  upon 
you  ;  and  ift  fact,  that  you  are  weary  of  exis- 
tence. This  is  not  as  it  should  be.  A  brave 
and  chivalrous  young  fellow  like  you,  should 
rise  above  disappointment,  and  be  able  to  look 
misfortune  unflinchingly  in  the  face." 

"  I  thank  you,  general,  for  your  kind  words 
and  benevolent  intention,  and  I  wiU  only  say 
in  reply,  that  in  the  horn-  of  battle,  you  will  find 
me  at  my  post." 

"  I  doubt  it  not,  sir,"  returned  the  general, 
kindly. 

' '  There's  a  great  deal  of  the  wild  hoss  in  him, 
with  a  choice  sprinklin'  of  the  alligator  and 
snappin'  turtle,"  remarked  Captam  Wilson, 
.who  joined  them  at  that  moment. 

' '  We  shall  soon  need  all  those  excellent 
qualities,"  said  Houston,  good  naturedly.  "I 
will  answer  for  him  and  the  Rangers." 

"  \^n[ien  you  march  us  up  to  face  the  enemy, 
general,  the  voice  of  Old  Kentuck  will  be  heard 
the  loudest  in  the  fight,"  rejoined  Wilson,  earn- 
estly. 

"  'Spress  yerself !"  exclaimed  Felix,  exhibit- 
ing a  choice  collection  of  ivory. 

"  Be  silent !"  said  Ethington. 

"Can  he  fight?"  asked  Houston,  regarding 
the  atliletic  frame  of  Felix  with  evident  admira- 
tion. 

"  There  isn't  a  better  man  among  us  when  it 
comes  to  blows,"  replied  Walter. 

"  Heah,  heah  !"  or  something  of  that  nature 
W£is  heard  to  escape  the  lips  of  the  African. 

"  He's  capable  of  eating  three  Mexicans  at  a 
meal  without  butter  or  salt,"  observed  the  cap- 
tain of  the  Rangers. 

"  Promulgate — go  yer   death,    massa   Ken- 


24 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


tuck,"  added  Felix.  "  Allow  your  idees  to  be- 
come luminous.     Heab,  heah!" 

After  some  farther  conversation,  the  general 
gave  orders  for  the  army  to  supply  itself  with 
three  days'  rations.  This  requisition  having 
been  complied  with,  the  defenders  of  the  "  Lone 
Star"  crossed  the  Bayou  Buffalo,  prepared  to 
give  battle  to  the  enemy.  Santa  Anna  was  ad- 
vancing to  cross  the  San  Jacinto,  and  Houston 
took  up  a  position  in  a  copse,  determined  to 
dispute  his  farther  progress. 

The  enemy  approached  and  opened  upon 
them  with  a  brass  twelve  pounder;  but  their 
fire  was  soon  silenced  by  two  six  pounders  (the 


only  field  pieces  with  which  the  Texans  had  been 
supplied),  which  succeeded  in  turning  the  Mex- 
ican infantry,  forcing  it  to  take  shelter  in* 
heary  gi-owth  of  wood. 

Failing  to  bring  on  a  general  engagement,  as 
he  had  intended,  Santa  Anna  fell  back  about 
fifteen  hundred  yards,  and  began  to  strengthen 
his  position  by  erecting  fortifications  near  the 
Bay  of  San  Jaaiito.  Many  of  the  Texan  officers 
were  in  favor  oT  giving  battle  without  delay  ; 
but  the  cool  head  of  Houston  overruled  this 
premature  movement,  and^another  sun  wa.s  des- 
tined to  set  and  rise  on  the  yet  bloodless  field 
of  San  Jacinto. 


i!^ 


V- 
EAFim  IV. 


f 


WIKOFF A     CHALLENGE- 


LRIANNA A    RIVAL. 


'^fjp'HE  defenders  of  Texas  rested  upon  their 
[|*^arms.  When  the  sun  -went  down,  and 
for  some  time  after,  the  enemy's  twelve  pound-t 
er  thundered  upon  their  position,  awakening 
the  echoes  of  the  adjacent  hills  and  woodlands ; 
while  the  balls  spent  their  fury  upon  the  shel- 
tering trees,  splintering  their  trunks  and  lop^ 
ping  off  their  boughs.  j 

After  doubling  the  guard  and  taking  all  the 
precautions  which  a  soldier  of  his  experience* 
thought  necessary  to  prevent  a  surprise,  the 
general-in-chief  wrapped  himself  in  his  military 
cloak,  placed  his  saddle  for  a  pillow,  and  feel- 
ing that  he  had  done  all  which  duty  'required, 
slept  the  warrior's  sleep,  undisturbed  by  the 
random  shots  of  the  enemy,  dreaming  of  victory 
on  the  morrow. 

The  gentle  moon  rode  up  into  the  starry  skies, 
and  the  goddess  of  6ilen(?e  at  length  waved  her 
misty  wings  over  the  two  armies.  Walter 
Ethington  felt  but  little  inclination  to  sleep. 
Seated  upon  one  of  the  field  pieces,  he  had  kept 
his  eyes  fixed  dreamily  upon  the  dull  camp  fii-es 
of  the  hostile  troops.     The  steady  tread  of  the 


sentinels,  the  dissonant  ringing  of  arms,  and 
sometimes  a  hum  of  voices,  was  borne  to  his 
ears  upon  the  whispering  winds,  from  the  ene- 
my's bivouac.  Ethington'.*  thoughts  were  not 
engaged  with  those  objects  upon  which  his  at- 
*lention   was   apparently   fixed.       Andrea     St. 

bert,  with  all  those  advantages  of  mind  and 
on  which  had  made   him  her  humble  wor- 

pper  in  days  that  were  gone,  was  once  more 
the  subject  of  his  meditations. 

Grieved  and  disappointed  as  he  had  been  by 
what  appeared  to  him  her  heartless  perfidy,  he 
could  not  deny  that  she  was  still  dear  to  him, 
and  that  he  o%n  found  himself  dwelling  with 
strange  fondness  (or  infatuation)  upon  the  past. 
He  mechanically  drew  from  his  pocket  the 
chain  which  had  been  so  mysteriously  restored 
to  his  possession.  He  sighed  heavily  as  his 
eyes  wandered  over  the  shining  links,  for  he  re- 
membered the  evening  when  he  had  playfully 
thrown  it  over  the  snowy  neck  of  Andrea. 
While  he  held  the  chain  in  his  hand,  and  was 
occupied  j^ith  these  reflections,  a  hand  was  laid 
lightly  upon  his  shoulder. 


26 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


I 


Ethington  turned  shaqily  towards  the  in- 
truder. 

"  It  has  been  told  me  that  you  are  weary  of 
life,"  said  the  latter,  abruptly. 

"  Excuse  me,"  replied  Walter,  coldly.  "  I 
haveliot  the  honor  of  your  acquaintance." 

"  You  shall  not  long  laljor  under  that  di.«ad- 
vantage,"  added  the  other.  "  It  is  very  possi- 
ble tluit  you  have  never  heard  my  name  men- 
tioned ;  but  it  is  probable,  should  you  survive 
this  night  and  the  next  tweuty-four  hours,  you 
will  never  forget  me  during  your  life.  My 
name  is  WikofF." 

"  Well,  sir,  wliat  i.s  that  to  me  ?"  said  E^ing- 
ton,  impatiently. 

"  I  am  the  lover  of  Andrea  St.  Aubert, 
sequently  wr  rival ;  and    I  am  happy  to  add, 
your /rti'ojpR  rival,"  rejoined  Wikoff,  boi 
profoundly. 

"  I  regret  that  slie  lias  made  so  pooi-  a  choi 
retorted  Ethington,  cahuly. 

"  Is  that  all  you  have  to  say  ?''  ask'ed  \\jj^^ 
sueeringly.  ^ 

"  All  I  have  to  say  hei-e  ;  but  cross  jonder 
hedge  with  me,  ,aud  I  will  speak  to  you  iu  aijoth- 
er  way,"  said  Ethington,  witli  difficulty  rostra in«  ji 
ing  the  deep   resentment    which  tjj^   stranger's 
insulting  words  and  manner  had  awakened. 

"  Swords,  pistols,  or  rifles  V"  asked  WikofFi 

"  Either,"  replied  Walter.     "1   am  w 
indifferent  as  to  the  weapons." 

"  We  will  try  pistok,  then." 

"  Very  well."  k- 

"  And  the  time  V" 

"  The  sooner  the  better,  for  I  am  impatient 
to  punish  your  insolence.  No  man  has  yet 
dared  to  speak  the  name  of  Andrea  St.  Aubert 
in  t^e  manner  you  have  presumed  to  pronounce 
it  to-night.  Tkat  you  are  some  woi-tldess  ad- 
venturer I  doubt  not ;  but  I  will  meet  you,  and 
perhaps  chastise  your  arrogance,  and  tame  your- 
presumption." 

"  Let  it  be  to-mon-ow  night,  if  you  survive 
the  approaching  conflict.''''  Wikoff  laid  partic- 
ular stress  upon  the  last  words  of  the  sentence, 
and  then  added  with  a  sinister  smile,  "  It  were 
pity  to  rob  you  of  tlie  glory  of  the  anticipated 


i 


fight !  I  should  always  regi-et  it,  I  assure  you. 
After  the  battle,  meet  me  on  the  bank  of  -^w- 
der  river,  near  that  cluster  of  live  oaks,  with  or 
without  a  friend,  just  as  you  choose.  There  is  a 
delightful  plat  of  gi'ass  there,  and  a  fall  upon  it 
would  not  be  likely  to  break  your  bones,  and 
may  form  a  very  easy  couch  for  you  to  close  up 
the  last  accom^s  of  life  upon." 

"  Of  all  t^TCs  this  would  suit  me  best,"  re- 
plied Ethington.     "  The  moon,  aided   by   the 
stars,  sheds  liglit  enough  fur  the  purpose,  and 
nothing  can  be  gained  by  wasting  time.     How-  ^ 
ever,  I  accede  to  your  tenns,  for   to-morrow  I 
would  figlit  for  the  '  Lone  Stai-,'  and  a  wound, 
n  from  an  insolent  adventurer,  miglit  prevent 
e  from  assisting  in  a  struggle  where  every  arm 
neec^^^^ 

^n^pPr  the  place  of  meeting,  for  I  would 
not  lose^R  oi>portunity  of  punisliing  you  for 
hav»»g  *at  d^  time  in  your  life  laid  claim  to 
tlie  hand  of  Miss  St.  Aubert;  a  piece  of  pre- 
sumption I  can  never  pardon." 

Etliington's    blood  boiled    with'   indignation, 

iHid  he  partly  rai.sed  his  liand  to  strike  down  the 

intruder  ;  ^ut  ma.'^tering  his  feelings  witN^pow- 

rful  cffjrt,  he  turned  his  back  u})on  "Wikoff  and 

walked  from  him.  An  insulting  laugli  followed  our 

hero,  and  worked  up  his  fury  to  such  an  extent, 

he  jsvas   about   to   retrace   his   steps,    and 

isc  the   offender  on   the   spot ;  but    upon 

lf)oking  in  the  direction  where  he  had  left  him, 

he  had  dihai)pearcd. 

Here  was  another  wonderful  link  in  the  chain 
of  mystery  which  had  been  recently  cast  about 
the  c;u-eer  of  Ethington.  The  motives  and  ac- 
tions of  Eidgley  he  could  not  understand ;  and 
the  singular  audacity  and  malignity  of  the  new- 
comer, Wikoff,  were  quite  as  inoxjilit-able.  The 
last  adventure  furnished  now  food  for  reflection, 
and,  he  wa3  endeavoring  to  mentally  digest  the 
sapie^whpn  Captaui  WiLson  joined  him. 

"Iwiave  been  looking  for  you,"  said  the  ran- 
ger.^ *»"  I  wanted  to  have  some  confidential  talk 
with  you,  and  perhaps  ask  your  advice  and  as- 
sistance^" 

"  Very  well,  captain,  I  am  at  your  service; 
you  have  only  to  command  me,"  replied  Ething- 
ton. 


clyRi 


UNfVER 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


27 


"  Mr.  Ethington,  I  am  ajilionest  Kentuckian, 
a^hougli  somewhat  rude  aad  bearish,  no  doubt ; 
but  I  v.'ill  be  frank  with  you,  and  come  to  the 
subject  uppermost  in  my  thoughts  at  once. 
About  two  miles  beyond  Vin(ie's  Bridge,  there 
is  a  neat  fann  house,  owned  and  occupied  by  a 
man  of  the  name  of  Lee,  who  some  years  ago 
married  a  fair  l^Iexiean  woman,  and  now  has  a 
son  gi'own  to  manhood,  and  a  daughter  of  about 
eeventeen.  Marianna,  for  so  she  is  called,  is 
fine  of  those  bewitching  guds  that  must  be  seen 
in  order  to  be  appreciated.  Such  dark  lan- 
oTiishing  eyes,  and  such  a  figure !  Why,  it 
equals  Old  Kentuck  ;  and  that  is  saying  a  great 
deal.  Two  glances,  sir,  from  the  dazzling  orbs 
of  Marianna  have  done  more  for  me  than  all  th» 
escopetas  of  the  Mexican  army ;  for  they  have 
inflicted  wounds  of  such  a  nature  as  can't  be 
healed  by  the  common  treatment  for  gamshot 
wounds.  The  Mexican  women  aj»  very  pretty, 
sir,  notwithstan/^ng  the  men  are  such  yillanous 


bridge,  and  warn  Lee  of  the  danger  that  threat- 
ens, and  endeavor  to  fix  upon  some  means""of 
giving  them  early  intelligence  of  the  battle." 

"  The  idea  is  a  benevolent  one,  and  if  you 
will  peraiit  me,  I  will  accom.pany  you." 

"  That  is  the  favor  I  was  about  to  ask,"  an- 
swered the  ranger ;  "but  you  have  anticipated 
the  request." 

Arming  themselves  thorouglily,  Ethington 
and  the  captain  left  the  bivouac,  and  directed 
their  footsteps  towards  Vince's  bridge,  which 
both  armies  had  passed  over  in  attaining  their 
present  position.  They  crossed  it  without  in- 
terruption, and  silently  pursued  their  way  to- 
wards the  residence  of  Marianna  Lee — the  maid- 
en whose  gentle  witchery  had  cast  such  a  spell 
over  the  senses  of  the  daring  Kentiickian. 
.,  They  traversed  a  few  half  cultmted  fields, 
skirted  by  flourishing,  woodlands,  and  after  vari- 
5us  turnings  and  windings,  and  penetrating  a 
thick  growth  of  hickory,   emerged   into  a  large 


fellows;  and  Marianna  has  jvist  enough  of  the  [clearing,  upon  the  farther   side   of  which,   just 


Mexican  style  of  beauty  to  make  her  one  of  the  i  under  the  shelter  of  some  tall  chestnuts, 
most  enchanting  girls  living."  j  the  house  of  Mr.  Lee. 


stood 


l^ould  advise  you  to  sui-rendcr  at  disc-re-  j      As  they  approached  it,    they  were  much  as- 
ayjtain  Wilson,"  said  Etliington.  jionished  at  hearing  a  confused   hum   of  voices 


Ctliingtc 
thought 


tion,  Capt 

"  I  certainly  would,    if  I 
ake  honorable  terms;  but  there's  the  rub." 
You  have  made  love  to  her,  dQiibtless?" 
The  word  hasn't  never  been  mentioned  be- 
tween us,  sir.     If  I  have  made  love  at  all,  it 
ha.s  been  done  with  my  eyes,  for  I  haven't  dar- 
ed to  open  my  lips  on  the  subject.     I  can  face 
the  enemy  and  give   'em  a  -taste  of  Kentucky 
skill,  but  I  have  never  been  able  to  tell  Marian- 
na Lee  that  I  love  her ;    the  very  thought  of  it 


ces  the  perspiration  .stand  in  drops   on   my 


could  proceeding  from  within.  Advancing  more  cau- 
tiously, the  ranger  took  the  liberty  to  reconnoi- 
tre the  interior  as  much  as  practicable  through 
the.- windows.  Fortunately  for  his  purpose,  a 
curtain  had  been  but  imperfectly  drawn,  and  he 
had  ample  opportunity  for  gralii'ying  a  pardon- 
able curiosity. 

A  scene  met  his  view  which,  as  he  expressed 
it,  "  riled  up  his  Kentucky  blood."  Four 
Mexicans,  either  deserters  from  the  enemy,  or 
banditti  which  had  followed  in  the  wake  of  the 
victorious  army,  were  cosily  seated  beneath  the  . 


forehead,   and   excites   me   more   than  did  the 

storming  of  Bexar,  when  only  two  hundred   of  j  hospitable  roof  of  Mr.  Lee,  eating  and  drinking 


us  fought  our  way  from  house  to  house  and 
whipped  eleven  hundfed  of  the  enemy.  But 
what  I  wish  to  say  is  this ;  if  we  should  be  beat- 
en to-morrow,  the  robbers  of  Santa  Anna  wUl 
overrun  the  whole  country,  spai-ing  neither  age 
nor  sex ;  and  Lee,  who  has  thus  far  refused  to 
move  an  inch,  will  be  among  the  first  to  suffer. 
I  have  made   up   my   mind   to   cross   Vince's 


his  good  things,  and  having  matters  pretty 
much  their  own  way.  The  master  of  the  house 
sat  with  folded  arras,  and  sullen  brow,  a  fow 
yards  from  his  unwelcome  guests  ;  while  liLs 
wife  and  Marianna,  with  pale  and  anxioiLs  faces, 
strove  to  entertain  thorn  without  giving  cumse 
for  ofl'once.  They  called  vociferously  for 
aguardieyite,  and  when  it  w:is  furnished  thorn, 
drank  more  deeply,  and  giew  more  in.soleut. 


28 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


Presently,  the  most  jauntily  dressed  of  the 
four  seated  himself  cara  a  cava  (face  to  face) 
with  Marianna,  evidently  anticipating  a  pleasant 
time ;  while  another  cried  out  in  an  insolent 
tone  :  "  Quisiera  un  vaso  de  aguardiente  " — 
I  want  a  glass  of  brandy.  Jlr.  Lee  informed 
him  that  there  was  no  more  in  the  house,  which 
put  him  in  a  violent  passion,  and  set  hira  to 
fingering  the  handle  of  his  dagger  in  a  very 
threatening  manner. 

jMeantime  the  gallant  who  had  drawn  his  chaii- 
in  front  of  Marianna,  began  to  say  fine  things 
to  her  a  la  Espanola — in  Spani-sh  fashion — 
wliich  so  far  from  proving  agreeable,  annoyed 
and  terrified  her  excessively.  She  arose  to 
leave  him,  but  he  insisted  that  she  should  re-' 
main  whei|ishe  was.  To  crown  his  politeness, 
tlie  cabellero  insisted  that  his  timid  companion 
should  smoke  a  cigarreMa ;  that  the  ladies  of 
his  country  smoked  ;  that  such  lips  seemed  to  be 
made  in  vain,  unless  they  held  a  roll  of  the 
fragrant  weed. 

It  was  in  vain  that  JIarianna  protested  that 
she  hold  cigai'cttas  in  abhorrence  ;  the  courteous 
senor  lighted  one  for  himself  and  another  (or 
her,  and  puffed  out  stifling  volumes  of  smoke, 
which  nearly  choked  her. 

She  threw  the  vile  cigaretta  from  her  in  dis- 
gust, and  with  tears  gathering  in  her  bright  eyes, 
begged  to  be  excused,  which  the  gentleman  of- 
fered to  do  conditionally.  Inasmuch  as  the 
cigarretta  was  obnoxious  to  her  lips,  she  would 
certainly  have  no  objection  to  receiving  a  salute 
upon  them,  from  so  proper  a  person  as  himself. 

This  proposition  alarmed  her  more  than  the 
former,  and  raised  the  ire  of  her  father  to  a 
pitch  which  he  could  no  longer  restrain. 

"Kuffian!"  he  exclaimed,  starting  from  his 
seat,  "  desist,  or  I  will  strangle  you  on  the 
"spot !"  And  then  he  added,  fixing  his  flashing 
eyes  upon  his  guests  : 

"  I  have  had  enough  of  this,  cabelleros.  I 
am  master  in  my  owa  house,  and  I  order  you  to 
leave  it  without  delay  !" 

The  rascals  had  only  been  waiting  some  pre- 
tence for  a  quarrel,  for  the  last  half  hour,  and 
this  decided  language  now  afforded  a  good  one. 


They  sprang  up,  drew  their  daggers,  and  made 
a  furious  attack  upon  their  host.  Their  first 
IMexican  oaths  were  scarcely  uttered,  when  the 
door  was  burst  open,  and  Ethington  and  the 
ranger  rushed  in  upon  them.  Lee  had  already 
prostrated  one  of  the  ruflians  with  a  blow  of  his 
fist,  and  when  our  two  friends  made  their  unex- 
pected entry,  the  others  ceased  offen.<iivo  opera- 
tions at  once,  not  a  little  nonplussed ,  and  con- 
founded at  the  appearance  of  two  such  formida- 
ble looking  Americanos. 

"  Down  with  them  !"  shouted  Wilson,  and 
being  ably  seconded  by  Ethington,  the  vuliantes 
were  soon  curled  up  upon  the  floor,  with  no 
other  wounds  than  those  inflicted  by  the  clench- 
ed hand. 

"  "What  shall  be  done  with  them  now?"  said 
Ethinglon. 

Wilson  made  a  motion  towards  hi.s  pistols  ; 
but  Lee  shc^c  his  head,  saying  that  in  his  opin- 
ion such  a  procedure  would  be  unneces"<ary,  as 
they  would  probably  go  their  issl^'  peaceably,  if 
permitted,  and  doubtless,  never  trouble  them 
again. 

"  I  can't  forget  the  Alamo,'"  replior^Bb  ran- 
ger, "and  if  we  shouldn't  whip  tlio  scoundrels 
to-mon-ow,  you'll  be  pretty  sure  to  have  more 
troulile  with  these  brave  senorcs ;  but  if  you 
say  let  them  go,  I  wont  olyect,  though  grcattt 
villains  never  escaped  their  just  deserts." 

Tlie  discomfited  dons  were  allowed  to  get 
upon  their  feet,  and  were  respectively  kicked 
into  the  open  air  by  Wilson,  who  appeared  to 
take  great  jileasure  in  the  exercise ;  and  Ething- 
ton obsen-ed  that  the  fellow  who  attempted  to 
make  the  fair  ]\Iarianna  smoke  a  cigar,  received 
a  double  portion  of  punishment. 

When  quietness  was  somewhat  restored,  our 
hero  had  opportunity  to  observe  the  olyect  of 
the  ranger's  passion  at  his  leisure,  and  wa:s  glad 
to  see  that  her  charms  had  not  been  overrated 
by  him  ;  and  in  fact,  ho  soon  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  her  personal  advantages  far  exceed- 
ed the  captain's  description.  Her  symmetrical 
figure,  neither  too  shoit  nor  too  tall,  not  lacking 
in  embonpoint,  nor  yet  so  plethoric  as  to  be 
wanting  in  elegance,  her  graceful  carriage,  her 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


29 


handsome,  oval  face,  and  above  all,  her  dark, 
and  eloquent  eyes,  made  Ethington  think  of 
Andrea  St.  Aubert. 

The  pallidness  produced  by  her  recent  terrors, 
had  given  place  to  a  sliglit  flush  resembling  the 
ruddiest  carnation  of  a  blush,  which  rather  en- 
hanced her  beauty  than  otherwise.  The  cere- 
}nony  of  introduction  to  the  father,  mother,  and 
daugliter  was  quickly  gone  through  with,  and 
the  latter,  though  evidently  embarrassed,  was 
soon  led  into  an  agreeable  conversation  ;  while 
the  captain,  so  valiant  in  the  hour  of  danger, 
had  suddenly  become  as  silent  as  a  bashful 
maiden.  Strange  are  the  doings  of  the  winged 
little  boy  with  the  bow  in  his  hand,  and  the 
quiver  of  arrows  at  his  back  ! 

Mrs.  Lee  was  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  and 
enough  of  beauty  yet  remained  to  show  that 
the  daughter  was  fairly  entitled  to  hers.  The 
son,  James,  they  were  informed,  had  started 
that  very  evening  to  join  the  forces  of  Houston, 
and  Jlrs.  Lee  bespoke  the  kindly  offices  of  the 
ranger,  should  her  boy  be  wounded  while  con- 
tending for  the  liberty  of  Texas.  Wilson  felt 
himself  but  too  happy  to  promise  all  that  she 
could  desire,  and  a  grateful  look  from  Marianna 
more  than  rewarded  him  for  his  protestations, 
and  caused  the  tell-tale  blood  to  mount  preci- 
pitately to  his  sun-burnt  cheeks. 

As  the  evening  advanced,  the  captain  got  the 
better  of  his  timidity  in  some  measure,  and  ven- 
tured to  make  a  few  common-place  remarks  to 
jMariapna,  who  replied  so  courteously  that  he 
was  highly  delighted. 

IMatters  wore  progressing  thus  pleasantly 
when  there  was  a  new  arrival,  which  marred 
all  the  captain's  pleasu«e,  and  caused  a  deep 
frown  to  appear  upon  his  usually  open  brow. 
The  last  comer  was  a  man  about  Wilson's  age 
and  size  ;  but  possessing  none  of  his  frankness 
of  character,  and  but  a  small  share  of  his  manli- 
ness and  good  looks. 

Pie  was  introduced  as  Mr.  Cogswell.  Etliing- 
ton  noticed  that  the  two  exchanged  glances 
which  were  anything  but  friendly  ;  and  it  was 
quickly  apparent  to  him,  that  in  the  person  of 
the  stransfer,  the  rano;er  had  a   rival  whom    he 


held  in  mortal  aversion,  which  was  amply  recip- 
rocated by  the  former. 

Immediately  the  cheerfulness  of  Marianna 
disappeared,  and  all  parties  felt  embarrassed 
and  ill  at  ease,  save  the  new-comer,  who  with  a 
careless  "good  evening,"  seated  himself  as  near 
the  young  lady  as  possible,  and  began  to  con- 
verse with  her  with  a  freedom  that  was  quite 
provoking  to  the  Kentuckian.  With  an  easy 
and  off  hand  manner,  he  talked  of  every  subject 
of  interest,  fovoring  the  ranger  with  many  con- 
temptuous glances  and  cutting  innuendoes. 

"  Do  you  vegetate  in  these  parts,  stranger?" 
he  asked,  at  length,  addressing  himself  to  Wil- 
son. 

"  I  calculate  I  don't,"  replied  the  latter. 

"  Belong  to  the  army,  perhaps?" 

"Perhaps  I  do,"  rejoined  Wilson,  drily. 
"  Every  brave  man  goes  to  the  field  to  fight  for 
his  rights.  I  take  it  that  you  don't  belong  to 
the  army,  Mr.  Cogshell,''  added  the  ranger, 
emphasizing  the  name,  which  he  designedly  pro- 
nounced wrong. 

"  My  name  is  Cogswell — and  I  do  not  belong 
to  the  army.  The  ranks  are  so  full  of  vaga- 
bonds and  raganmffins,  that  it's  no  place  for  a 
gentleman,"  retorted  Cogswell,  sneeringly. 

' '  If  the  Texan  army  is  composed  of  sucli 
materials  as  you  mention,  stranger,  I  should 
think  it  would  be  the  very  place  for  you,"  said 
the  ranger,  eyeing  Cogswell  savagely. 

"  I  fight  on  my  own  hook,"  rejoined  the 
other. 

"  If  you'll  jest  take  your  Jiooh  and  come  with 
me,  I'll  give  you  a  specimen  of  Old  Kentuck, 
that'll  make'  you  see  stars  and  other  heavenly 
bodies,"  added  Wilson. 

"Remember  there  are  ladies  present,"  inter- 
posed Ethington. 

"  And  the  fairest  the  '  Lone  Star  '  can  boast 
of,"  said  the  ranger,  with  a  desperate  eff()rt. 

Cogswell  frowned  more  darkly  than  ever,  and 
darted  a  furious  look  at  the  captani. 

Marianna  was  much  agitated,  and  lonkod  im- 
ploringly at  Etliington. 

"  We  will  have  no  quarrelling,  gentlemen,  if 
you  please,"  said  Mr.  Lee.     Obedient  to  ages- 


30 


THE  TEXAN  BEAYO. 


ture  from  the  latter,  Mariaima  aro^e  and  left 
the  room,  while  Cogswell  sat  glaruig  at  the  Ken- 
tuckian  like  some  half-taiuetl  animal  escaped 
from  its  keepers.  Approaching  his  face  to  Wil- 
son's, he  said,  in  a  low,  determined  voice  : 

"  This  is  no  place  for  you.  The  man  who 
comes  here  to  see  the  bright  eyes  of  3fariauna, 
will  have  to  deal  with   Tim  Cogswell  T' 

"  And  do  you  thuik  to  frighten  an  jdligator 
from  Old  Kentuck  with  such  silly  bntvado?" 
replied  Wilson,  in  the  same  tone.  "  If  you 
have  anytliing  of  that  kind  to  say,  meet  me  with 
the  rifle  or  the  bowie  kuife,  and  settle  it  like  a 
man.  There  are  plenty  of  places  hereabouts 
Avhere  such  a  thing  can  Ijc  done  in  a  quiet  busi- 
nes,'^  sort  of  way.  And  porhi'ps,  come  to  tliink 
on  it,  the  affim-  might  as  well  be  arranged  now 
as  any  time.  We  crossed  a  fiel.l,  not  a  gix-ot 
distance  from  here,  which  would  be  just  the 
thing.  I  see  you've  got  your  shootin'  iron  with 
y<;iu ;  suppose  you  take  it  and  follow  me.  If 
you  should  pop  mc  over,  my  lieutenant  would 
be  promoted,  and  there  would  be  one  Kentucky 
lad  the  less,  and  I  shouldn't  bo  standiji'  in  any- 
body's way.  On  the  other  hand,  if  you  should 
be  sped,  why,    it's   my  candid  opinion  nobody 


would  be    sorry,   and  JIai-ianna   Lee   wouldn't 
trouble  herself  to  shed  a  single  tear  for  you." 

"  When  I  light,"  replied  Cog.*well,  coloring, 
"  it  shall  be  in  the  da3^tirae,  and  -with  friends 
present  to  see  fair  play.  One  thing  is  certain  ; 
you  will  hear  from  mc  sooner  than  will  prove 
agreeable.  I  am  your  enemy  to  tlie  death,  and 
as  such,  we  will  meet  again." 

With  a  low  and  insulting  laugh,  Cogswell 
arose  and  left  the.  house. 

"He  fears  the  Kentucky  rifle."  said  P]thing- 
ton. 

"  He's  a  coward,  or  he  wouldn't  have  refused 
such  an  offer,"  replied  the  nmger. 

The  conversation  now  took  a  more  agi-ecable 
turn,  and  JTr.  Lee  earnestl}-  stwvo  to  make  his 
visitors  forget  the  unpleasant  incident  which  had 
just  occurred.  Prom^ng  to  give  him  the  very 
carlic.«t  intelligence  of  the  fate  of  the  battle,  om- 
two  frlencfe  depaj-ted,  and  directed  their  foot^ 
steps  towards  the  Texan  bivouac.  The  camp 
fires  h;«l  gone  out.  A  deeper  silence  re.«tcd 
upon  the  motionle>^  figxires  of  the  weary  soldiers. 
broken  only  by  the  slow  tread  of  the  sentinel 
who  kept  sleepless  vigils  over  those  wh»  were  to 
decide  the  fute  of  the  "  Lone  Star  "  so  soon. 


CMA.tT£ll  T. 


IrUK    J5ATTL.F,    OF    SAX   JAClN'fO. 


'^1'^Hi^  suti  of  the  twentictli   of  April  m-osc 


f 


with  uudimmed  splendor,  aod  his  beams 
wore  reflected  brightly  from  the  burnished  armB 
of  the  hostile  armies. 

The  geiieral-in-chiefwas  already  in  the  saddle, 
the  banner  of  the  "  Lond  Star  "  was  floating 
proudly  and  defiantly  in  the  morning  breezes, 
nnd  the  columns  of  Texas  \fcro  forming  in  the 
order  of  battle. 

While  these  stlning  scenes  were  progressing, 
Houston  was  seen  conferring  with  a  Vi^ell  kiiovvn 
personage  who  passed  in  camp  by.tho  name  of 
Deaf  Smith  ;  a  man  with  a  brave  heart,  a  strong 
hand,  and  willing  to  execute  the  commands  of 
his  superior  officer,  even  to  t'le  death.  In  a 
moment  after,  Ethington  saw  Smith,  with  two 
polished  axes,  standing  at  a  httle  distance  from 
the  fast  fiUing  ranks,  with  his  eyes  feed  steadily 
npon  the  general,  as  if  awaiting  some  import-ant 
order. 

"  Arc  you  going  to  fight  with  two  axes?*' 
ssked  Wilson,  somewhat  sarcastically,  as  he 
passed  him. 

But  Deaf  Smith  heeded   him  not :  for  there 


was  only  one  voice  that  eolild  arouse  his  war' 
like  spirit,  and  set  his  stout  limbs  in  motion^ 

The  defenders  of  Texas  were  under  arms,  im- 
patient f<-)r  the  enemy  to  advance ;  but  all  was 
quiet  within  the  Mexican  lines,  and  they  showed 
no  disposition  to  come  to  an  engagement. 

The  general  consulted  with  his  officers  on  the 
expediency  of  atlackiDg  tlie  enomj.  Four  of 
the  six  field  officers  who  constituted  the  council, 
opposed  the  idea  of  an  attack  with  all  their  pow- 
er, representing  that  the  great  disparity  of  num- 
bers, the  advantages  of  the  enemy's  position, 
and  his  superior  discipline,  rendered  the  meas' 
ure  too  hazardous  to  bo  thought  of.  Two  only, 
were  in  fiivor  of  the  movement,  and  not  fcai-fnl 
of  the  consequences  of  advancing  in  an  open 
prairie  and  charging  a  disciplined  army  with  a 
raw  soldiery  and  two  hundred  bayonets. 

Having  learned  the  opinions  of  his  officci-s, 
the  general's  next  step  was  to  ascertain  the  feel* 
ings  of  his  men.  They  were  found  ready  and 
willing  to  figlit  the  enemy  on  his  own  ground, 
since  they  evinced  no  disposition  to  leave  it. 

Considerable  time  had  elapsed  in  these  de- 


32 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


liberations,  and  it  was  three  o'clock  in  tlie  after- 
noon before  the  Texan  troops  were  ready  to 
move  forward  upon  the  enemy. 

Once  more  they  wheeled  into  line,  the  first 
regiment,  under  the  command  of  General  Bur- 
leson, forming  the  centre ;  the  second  under 
Colonel  Sherman,  the  left  wing ;  while  the  ar- 
tillery under  Colonel  Hockley,  and  four  com- 
panies of  infantry,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Millard,  took  the  right.  The  whole  of  the  Tex- 
an cavalry  numbered  but  sixty-one,  and  these, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Lamar,  occupied  the  ex- 
treme right. 

When  all  was  in  readiness  for  the  attack,  the 
general  gave  the  order  to  Deaf  Smith  in  a  low 
voice.  Immediately  he  leaped  upon  a  horse 
which  stood  near  him,  and  with  his  axes  gallop- 
ed furiously  away  towards  Vince's  Bridge,  fol- 
lowed by  Felix. 

The  shrill  tones  of  the  fife,  the  clear,  ringing 
notes  of  the  bugle,  and  the  din  of  the  drum  were 
now  heard  along  the  Texan  lines,  which  were 
soon  in  motion,  and  moved  steadily  until  within 
two  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  breast-works. 

Captain  Wilson  with  the  Rangers  had  taken 
his  position  on  tlie  right  of  the  Texan  infantry 
and  advanced  on  foot.  Ethington  shouldered 
his  rifle  and  joined  them,  resolved  to  "do  his 
devoir  "  like  a  brave  man,  strike  another  blow 
for  liberty,  and  avenge  his  fallen  comrades  who 
slept  in  the  smouldering  ruins  of  the  Alamo, 
and  at  Goliad. 

"  Texans,  bosses,  and  alligators  from  Old 
Kentucky  !"  said  Captain  Wilson.  "  Yonder 
are  our  enemies.  You  have  got  good  rifles  in 
your  hands,  and  know  how  to  use  them.  Don't 
fire  until  you  are  sure  of  your  man  ;  for  we  meet 
the  foe  one  to  three,  and  that's  considerable 
odds ;  but  do  your  duty,  and  we  will  whip  them 
so  they  wont  forget  the  Rangers  while  they  re- 
member anything  of  an  airthly  nature." 

This  eloquent  and  highly  patriotic  speech 
was  received  with  shouts  of  applause  by  the 
Rangers. 

"  Here  comes  the  general,  my  lads,"  added 
the  captain.  "  Listen,  and  let  us  hear  what  he 
is  going  to  say." 


In  a  moment,  all  eyes  were  directed  to  the 
towering  figure  of  Houston,  who  appeared  in 
front  of  the  Texan  lines,  mounted  upon  a  pow- 
erful horse. 

"Fellow-soldiers,  countrymen,  and  friends 
of  liberty,  upon  you  rests  the  last  hope  of  the 
'  Lone  Star. '  If  you  conquer  the  enemy,  the 
rights  of  Texas  will  be  secured,  and  you  will 
return  in  peace  and  covered  with  glory,  to  your 
wives,  and  sweethearts  ;  but  if  you  fail,  you  will 
never  leave  this  field  alive ;  you  will  share  the 
fate  of  Travis  and  his  men." 

At  this  juncture,  Deaf  Smith  was  seen  spur- 
ring his  horse  madly  towards  the  general,  swing- 
ing an  axe  triumphantly  over  his  head.  Pull- 
ing up  his  panting  steed  with  a  force  that  brought 
him  upon  his  haunches,  he  addressed  a  few  words 
to  the  commander-in-chief. 

The  latter  drew  forth  his  sword,  and  while  its 
polished  stool  gleamed  and  fla.shed  in  the  sun, 
armM  in  a  voice  which  rang  out  along  the  lines 
like  the  tones  of  a  deep-toned  trumpet : 

"  Fellow-soldiers,  you  have  thirsted  to  meet 
the  dictator  and  his  minions  face  to  face  ;  and 
behold  the  hour  has  come.  The  tyrant  is  before 
you ;  there  is  no  retreat ;  you  must  fight. 
Vince's  Bridge  is  cut  away,  and  victoi-y  or  death 
is  ours.  I  ask  no  man  to  do  more  or  exert  him- 
self more  than  I  do.  He  who  would  fight,  let 
him  follow  me,  and  kkmember  the  Alamo  !" 

As  the  general  ceased  speaking,  he  turned 
his  horse's  head  and  shouting  to  his  men,  bore 
down  into  the  teeth  of  the  foe,  while  a  loud  and 
angry  munnur,  like  the  voice  of  many  waters, 
arose  from  the  Texan  lines,  as  they  swayed  to 
and  fro  an  instant,  and  then  followed  their  lead- 
ers, each  arm  inspired  with  the  strength  of  three 
of  his  enemies.  "Remember  the  Alamo!  re- 
member the  Alamo!"  and  the  heart  of  every 
Texan  swelled  with  indignation,  and  their  eyes 
flashed  with  fury  as  the  battle-cry  passed  from 
mouth  to  mouth,  inciting  all  to  deeds  of  prowess, 
almost  without  a  precedent  in  the  annals  of 
war. 

The  enemy  received  the  last  hope  of  the 
"Lone  Star,"  drawn  up  in  perfect  order.  At 
the  distance  of  sixty  yards  they  opened  a  fire 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


upon  the  advancing  Texans  ;  but  their  aim  was 
bad,  and  most  of  the  leaden  hail  whistled  harm- 
lessly over  their  heads. 

"  Steady,  men  !  resei-ve  your  fire  until  the 
word  is  given!"  thundered  Houston,  and  well 
each  man  obeyed.  "When  within  pistol  shot  of 
the  Mexican  columns,  the  word  "  fii-e "  was 
shouted  along  the  Texan  lines,  and  a  deadly 
volley  was  poured  into  the  enemy's  ranks,  pros- 
trating them  as  the  winds  shake  off  the  leaves 
in  autumn. 

When  they  had  discharged  their  pieces,  they 
did  not  pause  to  reload  them,  but  rushing  for- 
ward upon  the  foe,  broke  them  over  their  heads. 
This  done,  they  di-ew  their  pistols  from  their 
belts,  fired  them  with  terrible  eflfect,  and  then 
threw  them  at  those  nearest  them.  Then  un- 
sheathing their  bowie-knives,  they  clambered 
over  heaps  of  the  slain,  and  plunged  them  to  the 
hilt  in  the  bodies  of  those  in  tlie  rear.  Thus 
the  work  of  slaughter  went  on,  and  tlie  red 
demon  of  carnage  rode  triumphant  over  that 
prairie,  so  peaceful  and  bloodless  an  hour  ago. 

The  right  and  left  whig  of  the  IMexican  army 
gave  way  before  the  irresistible  charge  of  the 
Texans ;  but  the  centre  remained  firm,  and 
strove  with  desperate  energy  to  withstand  the 
shock.  At  this  critical  peri(Kl  Santa  AmvA  pre- 
pared to  charge  the  Texan  infantry  at  the 
head  of  five  hundred  of  liis  l)est  men.  Houston 
instantly  perceived  the  danger,  and  rallying  his 
men  and  putting  himself  at  tiielr  liead,  stood  his 
ground  manfully,  and  sliouting  the  battle-cr}- 
once  more,  ordered  them  to  iiie. 

"  Take  good  aim  !"  cried  V\'^il.son  to  his  Ran- 
gers, and  the  command  was  well  obeyed.  Wlien 
the  Texans  poured  forth  their  leaden  storm  once 
more,  but  thnty-two  out  of  the  five  hundred 
who  had  prepared  to  charge  them  remained 
among  the  living,  and  they  were  instantly  made 
prisoners. 

A  terrible  panic  now  seized  the  enemy. 
They  saw  their  comrades  falling  on  every  hand, 
and  felt  that  they  had  never  encountered  such 
determined  foes  before.  Masses  of  the  dead, 
presenting  a  horrible  memento  of  war,  lay  piled 
up  where  their   front   ranks   had   received   the 


charge  of  the  Texans,  and  mounting  over  this 
ghastly  breastwork,  those  who  remembered  the 
Alamo,  plunged  their  reeking  blades  into  the 
living  men  who  fought  behind  them. 

The  prowess  of  hirelings  was  not  proof  against 
the  valor  of  soldiers  who  contended  for  human 
rights ;  they  broke  and  fled,  and  the  slaughter 
became  more  feaiful  still.  Towards  Vince's 
Bridge,  the  routed  remnant  of  the  dictator's 
army  fled  ;  when  they  reached  the  spot  where 
they  had  crossed,  by  strain mg  every  nerve, 
urged  on  by  the  flashing  steel  of  the  Texans, 
r.nd  their  mad  battle-cry,  their  consternation 
cannot  be  conceived  when  they  saw  the  stream 
rolling  darkly  on,  spanned  by  no  bridge  by 
which  they  could  escape  the  fury  of  their  con- 
querors. 

Some,  with  cries  of  niortal  terror,  threw  them- 
selves into  the  water,  which,  before  they  had 
sunk  for  the  last  time,  and  while  the  pains  of 
suffocation  yet  held  them,  was  stained  with  the 
blood  of  their  companions  in  arms ;  and  when 
they  went  down  to  rise  no  more,  the  final  bub- 
bles that  marked  the  spot  where  they  disappear- 
ed, were  red  as  t'ae  currents  which  had  warmed 
their  own  hearts.  "  Remember  the  Alamo" 
were  the  last  sounds  tliat  greeted  the  ears  of  the 
despairing  wi-etches. 

At  the  place  where  the  bridge  had  been  cut 
away,  many  turned  and  fought,  while  some  fall- 
ing upon  their  knees,  ci'ied  out  in  tones  that 
long  haunted  the  ears  of  Ethlngton,  that  they 
were  not  at  the  Alamo.  But  what  did  that 
avail  with  men  who  felt  that  they  had  been 
wronged  past  reparation,  and  by  the  treatment 
which  they  had  received  from  their  foes,  no  long- 
er held  to  the  usages  of  civilized  warfiire  't 

Excited  by  the  scenes  of  the  fight,  and  re- 
calling what  he  had  witnessed  at  Fort  Alamo 
with  a  vividness  but  too  real,  Ethlngton  cheered 
on  his  comrades  and  was  foremost  in  tlie  melee. 
Side  by  side  with  Captain  Wilson,  and  followed 
and  hnitated  by  the  Rangers,  he  did  his  devou- 
nobly,  and  when  he  shouted  the  battle-cry,  it 
thrilled  like  electricity  through  the  heart  of 
every  man  who  heard  it.  Once  when  the  en- 
slim  who  bore  the   banner — a   star   on   a   red 


34 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


ground — was  wounded  and  foil,  he  rushed  to 
tlie  rescue  and  with  his  own  hand  restored  it, 
and  struck  down  the  daring  fellow  who  had  at- 
tempted to  capture  it. 

After  the  flight  to  Vmee's  Bridge,  an  acci- 
dent occurred  which  well  nigh  proved  tatal  to 
our  hero. 

In  his  eagerness  to  follow  up  the  advantage 
which  they  had  gained,  he  became  separated 
from  the  Rangers,  and  found  himself  contending 
singly  with  overwhelming  numbers.  Half  a 
score  of  Mexican  lances  were  instantly  levelled 
at  his  person.  Ethington  saw  the  danger,  but 
was  not  terrified.  Death  he  had  long  held  in 
contempt,  and  was  quite  willing  to  yield  up  his 
life  upon  a  well  fought  field. 

He  Smiled  gi'imly  upon  his  foes,  and  resolved 
in  his  fall  to  give  them  good  cause  to  remember 
him.  With  his  rifle,  which  he  had  managed  to 
retain  during  the  conflict,  he  dashed  aside  many 
a  thrust  from  sharp  lance  and  bristling  bayonet. 


here  to  fight,"    answered   the  stranger,  grufily. 

"The  day  is  ours!"  shouted  Houston. 
"  Three  times  three  cheers  for  the  Lone  Star  !" 
As  the  general  spoke,  the  faithful  horse  which 
had  borne  him  through  the  fight  so  bravely, 
reeled  and  fell  to  the  earth ;  it  had  been  struck 
by  seven  musket  b;xlls,  but  had  nobly  borne  his 
master  until  his  last  drop  of  blood  was  spent, 
and  sank  down  at  the  moment  victory  was  com- 
pletely won. 

The  hero  of  San  Jacinto  had  been  severely 
wounded  at  the  commencement  of  the  battle, 
but  had  scorned  to  heed  his  hurts  when  there 
was  so  much  at  stake.  He  w;is  quickly  assisted 
upon  another  steed,  and  the  "three  times  three  " 
were  given  with  right  good  will ;  and  the  fright- 
ened wretches  who  had  survived  the  conflict 
heard  it  with  awe  and  wonder,  for  they  knew  but 
little  of  the  enthusiasm  of  men  who  had  devoted 
their  lives  to  the  cause  of  freedom. 

Ethinglon  pau.«cd  and  looked  over  the  prairie  ; 


At  the  critical  moment    when  the  exertions   of  { it  was  covered   with   the   bodies   of  the    slain. 

one  could  not  hope  h)ng(>r  to  be  successful,  the  I  Horses  and  men  lay  in  heaps  in  every  direction. 

voice  which  Ethington  had  heard  once  before  in   The   dead  and   the    dying   were   mingled  con- 

the  hour  of  battle,  reached  his  ears   amidst   all   fusedly  together.     In  the  distance  a  few  terrified 

fugitives  were  running  hither  and  thither,  en- 
deavoring to  conceal  themselves  in   the    prairie 


the  din  of  conflict ;  and  immediately  the  tall 
form  of  Ridgley  was  seen  scattering  the  foe  to 
tlie  right  and  to  the  left  by  the  force  of  his  un- 
aided arm,  followed  by  Felix  and  the  captain  of 
the  Rangers.  Ridgley  gained  the  side  of  Et/iing- 
ton,  and  his  assailants  gave  ground. 

"  Go  yer  death,  massa  debljil  I"  cried  Felix. 
"  Hurra  for  Mexicus  and  Tcxico!'^ 

"  Indebted  to  you  for  a  second  fevor,"  said 
Ethington,  as  Ridgley  pressed  to  his  side,  and 
the  Mexicans  fell  back. 

"  Don't  speak  of  it,"  replied  Ridgley.  coldly, 
wiping  the  moisture  from  his  brow,  and  turning 
his  attention  to  another  part  of  the  field. 

"  I  am  not  so  churlish  as  not  to  thank  you 
for  your  bravery,"  added  Walter. 

"  I  want  no  thanks,   young  man.     I   came 


graAs,  or  gain  the  covert  of  the  wood. 

As  the  excitement  of  battle  passed  away,  a 
feeling  of  compassion  took  possession  of  Ething- 
ton, and  he  exerted  himself  manfully  to  stay  the 
slaughter. 

"  Look  there,"  said  Captain  Wilson,  point- 
ing upward  with  his  bloody  sword.  Walter 
raised  his  eyes  and  beheld  two  enormous  ravens 
hovering  over  the  scone  of  conflict,  with  their 
beaks  turned  to  the  west.  Wilson  and  several 
of  the  rangers  raised  their  guns  to  fire  at  the 
birds  poising  above  them. 

"Hold!"  exclaimed  the  general,  propheti- 
cally. "  The  omen  is  a  good  one;  it  denotes 
the  march  of  the  empire  westward." 


CHAPTER  VL 


■ArOUSTCS    HENRIE. 


ip  THINGTOX  walked  slowly  towards  the 
ij^  bivouac  of  the  previous  night,  to  which 
the  soldiers,  wearied  of  the  work  of  slaugliter, 
M''ere  returning  in  squads,  without  much  regard 
to  order.  It  was  now  night,  and  our  hero 
thought  of  his  appointment  with  "Wikoff.  Stretch- 
ing himself  by  a  fire  which  the  Rangers  had 
kindled,  and  ordering  Felix  to  awaken  him 
when  the  moon  had  arisen,  he  was  soon  lost  in 
sleep,  dreaming  of  the  horrors  of  the  day,  and 
very  possibly  of  Andrea  St.  Aubert. 

Faithful  to  his  charge,  tho  African  awakened 
his  master  at  the  time  desig-nated.  Captain 
Wilson  was  seated  near  him,  repairing  his  rifle, 
which  had  been  somewhat  injured  in  the  fight. 
Ethinglon  had  already  made  him  acquainted 
with  the  strange  appointment,  and  asked  his 
services,  which  were  offered  with  that  genuine, 
though  roiigh  cordiality,  wliich  characterized  the 
honest  Kentuckian. 

Provided  with  proper  arms,  they  now  repair- 
ed to  the  spot  indicated  by  WikofF.  They  stood 
by  the  waters  of  the  San  Jacinto — waters  which 
had  quenched  the  Same  of  more  than  one   life 


that  day.  Occasionally  there  floated  past  them 
some  mournful  remnants  of  the  fight — a'  hat,  a 
cap,  some  fragment  of  a  garment,  and  anon  a 
lifeless  body.  While  Ethington  gazed  upon  the 
inanimate  clay,  as  it  was  being  borne  onward  by 
the  current,  he  asked  hunself  if  it  had  ever  en- 
shrined an  immortal  soul,  and  if  so,  what  was 
the  fate  of  that  soul '!  He  turned  from  it  with 
a  sigh,  remarking  : 

"  How  many  that  feared  death  as  the  greatest 
evil,  have  found  it  since  the  sun  crossed  the 
meridian ;  while  I,  who  have  regarded  it  as  a 
friend  that  comes  to  hush  up  the  sorrows  of  the 
feverish  heart,  have  been  spared.  Strange  that 
the  bolts  of  death  should  pass  me  by,  and  spend 
their  force  upon  others.  Inscrutable  are  the 
ways  of  ProTOleuce." 

The  moon  was  looking  down  upon  the  rivor 
with  a  tranquil  light.  The  hour  seemed  too 
quiet  for  bloodshed,  and  was  better  suited  to 
meditation  and  serious  thought,  than  to  the  busi- 
ness which  had  called  our  licro  and  his  friend  to 
the  spot. 

WikofF  did  not    make   his    appearance,    and 


3G 


THE  TEXAN  BRAYO. 


Ethington  paced  slowly  iip  and  down  awaiting 
him,  while  Wilson  seated  himself  beneath  an  oak, 
thinking,  doubtless  of  IMarianna  Lee.  At  the 
expiration  of  half  an  hour,  the  figure  of  a  man 
emerged  cautiously  from  the  copse  of  trees.  It 
was  Wikoff.  He  appeared  disappointed  when 
he  saw  Ethington,  and  stood  irresolute  ;  but  the 
keen  eyes  of  the  ranger  were  fixed  upon  him, 
and  he  instantly  signified  that  they  were  await- 
mg  him. 

"  So  you  have  sur\'ived  the  conflict?"  said 
WikofF,  approaching  Ethington. 

' '  My  presence  seems  to  justify  that  conclu- 
sion," replied  the  latter,  coldly. 

"  It  strikes  mo  that  you  didn't  expect  to  see 
him,"  observed  the  captain. 

"  No  matter  what  I  expected,"  returned 
WikofF.  "I  am  here,  and  ready  to  proceed. 
Have  you  brought  weapons?" 

"I  have,"  answered  Wilson.  "What  dis- 
tance do  you  propose?" 

"  Twelve  paces,"  said  Wikoff. 
"  Arrange  it  as  you  will,"  added  Ethington. 
"  It  makes  no  difference  to  me." 

T]}e  Kentuckian  now  paced  off  the  gi-ound. 
"  On  which  side  do  you  intend  to  place  me?" 
a.^ked  V/ikoff 

"  Upon  that  nearest  the  river,"  replied  the 
ranger. , 

"  And  is  that  a  specimen  of  your  fairness? 
I  protest  against  it,  for  my  adversary  will  have 
all  the  advantage  of  the  light.  No,  sir,  I  will 
not  stand  up  to  be  shot  in  that  way.  Measure 
the  ground  in  another  direction,  or  let  me  have 
the  other  side  !"  exclaimed  Wikijff,  with  a  scowl 
of  disapprobation. 

"  Don't  show  too  muchofthesnappin'  turtle," 
said  Wilson,  briefly. 

"  You  had  better  comply  with  his  wishes," 
suggested  Walter.  The  ground  was  now  meas- 
ured off  according  to  the  directions  of  Wikoff, 
and  the  parties  took  their  places.  Wikoff  found 
fault  with  the  weapons  which  the  ranger  had 
brought,  and  concluded  to  use  his  o^vn ;  and 
this  was  also  agreed  to  by  Ethington.  Wilson 
was  to  count  three,  and  the  word  three  was  to 
be  the  simal  to  fire. 


Ethington  appeared  as  calm  as  usual,  and  be- 
trayed no  anxiety  for  the  result.  He  had  be- 
held all  the  preparations  unmoved,  and  in  fact 
with  total  indifference.  Not  so  with  Wikoff; 
his  cheeks  which  were  flushed  when  he  first  ap- 
peared, were  now  pale  to  ghastliness ;  while  a 
sickly  and  sinister  smile  rested  upon  liLs  lips. 
Deadly  hatred  and  hostility  were  vividly  traced 
in  the  expression  of  his  whole  visage.  Though 
his  arm  did  not  shake  when  he  took  his  stand, 
and  the  weapons  were  placed  in  his  hands,  he 
was  evidently  suffering  from  pome  emotion,  anx- 
iety or  fear. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,  do  not  fire  until  I  have 
pronounced  the  word  three,"  said  Wilson,  tak- 
ing a  position  equi-distant  from  the  parties. 

"  Have  you  any  word  to  leave  for  Andrea  St. 
Aubert?"  asked  Wikoff,  in  a  sneering  tone  to 
Ethington. 

"  Captain  Wilson,  I  am  ready,"  said  Walter, 
calmly. 

"  Are  yon  ready,  sir?''  a.-^ked  Wilson,  turn- 
ing to  Wikoff. 

"All  ready,"  responded  the  latter,  with  the 
same  sinister  smile. 

"Then,  gentlembn,  remendicr  the  directions, 
and  fire  after  the  word  tluee,  fur  I  want  thi.M 
thing  to  be  done  fair,  and  in  a  way  that  wouldn't 
disgrace  Old  Kentuck  itself.'' 

Wilson  paused  a  moment,  looked  steadily  at 
the  parties  to  see  how  they  bore  themselves, 
and  then  proceeded,  apparently  well  satisfied 
with  the  deportment  of  Ethington. 

"  Gentlemen,  I  shall  now  give  you  the  word  : 
"  OneP' 

There  was  no  change  perceptible  in  the  fea- 
tures or  attitude  of  AValter ;  but  his  antagonist 
grew  paler,  if  possible,  and  smiled  more  fright- 
fully. 

"  TwoT 

Instantly  Wikoff  fired,  in  defiance  of  all  the 
rules  of  honor,  before  the  word  three  had  been 
spoken.  Ethington's  arm  fell  to  his  side,  tho 
pistol  dropped  from  his  gra-sp,  he  tottered  a  step 
and  sank  to  the  ground. 

With  a  hasty  imprecation  upon  Wikuff,  who 
turned  and  fled,  the  ranger  ran  to  hLs  friend  and 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO 


37 


raised  him  from  the  earth.  Walter  looked  up 
into  the  face  of  the  Kentuckian,  smiled  sweetly, 
and  immediately  became  unconscious.  Wilson 
took  him  in  his  ai-nis,  and  bore  him  swiftly  to- 
wards the  Texan  encampment,  where  a  surgeon 
was  ha.stily  summoned. 

When  Ethington's  mind  regained  somethmg 
of  its  fonner  lucidity,  he  found  himself  in  a  dark- 
ened room,  Ijing  upon  a  comfortable  bed.  He 
heard  soft  footsteps  and  whispered  words,  like 
those  breathed  in  the  chamber  of  the  sick.  A 
young  la<ly  was  seated  near  his  bedside,  whom, 
upon  closer  scrutiny,  he  discovered  to  be  Marian- 
na.  Our  hero  was  conscious  of  being  vei-y  weak, 
and  was  sensible  that  he  must  have  been  very 
ill.  He  glanced  silently  about  the  apartment 
once  more,  but  saw  no  familiar  object,  with  the 
exception  of  the  maiden. 

"Marianna?"  he  said,  in  a  feeble  voice. 
Instantly  a  gleam  of  satisfectlon  passed  over 
the  face  of  the  young  lady. 

"  Then  you  remember  me,  at  last !"  she  ex- 
claimed. "  I  am  glad  to  see  your  consciousness 
returning.  You  have  been  very  ill,  and  we 
have  sometimes  despaired  of  your  life." 

"  And  I  am  indebted  to  you  for  much  good 
nursing,  and  probably  my  life,"  he  added. 

Marianna  was  about  to  make  a  reply,  when 
the  door  was  opened,  and  a  youth  entered  with 
light  and  noiseless  footsteps.  It  needed  no  se- 
cond look  to  a.ssure  him  that  it  was  the  same 
that  he  had  seen  with  Ridgley,  though  dressed 
in  different  style.  He  now  wore  a  black  frock, 
and  pants,  of  fine  fabric,  and  which  fitted  very 
neatly  to  his  person,  and  became  him  well ;  and 
together  with  a  light  buff  vest,  silk  neck  tie,  and 
Byron  collar,  all  adjusted  with  a  gi'aceful  negli- 
gence, gave  him  rather  a  dandyish  appearance. 
Walter  was  prejudiced  against  the  lad  at  the 
first  glance,  and  though  he  cou,ld  not  but  ac- 
knowledge that  he  was  very  good  looking,  he 
turned  his  eyes  from  him,  mentally  resolving  to 
notice  him  as  little  as  common  courtesy  would 
possibly  allow. 

"  To  this  kind  youth  you  are  much  indebted 
for  your   recovery,"    said    Marianna.     "It    Ls 
Augui?tu.''    Henrie,    a    cflusin    of  mine ;    who, 
3 


[  though  he  has  his  eccentricities,  is  a  very  ex- 
cellent lad  at  heart.  I  assure  you,  Mr.  Ething- 
ton,  his  attentions  have  been  unremitting." 

Ethington  reluctantly  turned  his  eyes  towards 
the  youth  again. 

"  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you,  my  young 
friend,  I  am  sure,  and  hope  I  may  be  pennitted 
to  acknowledge  the  kindness  in  a  more  substan- 
tial way,"  he  said,  with  considerable  effort. 

Augustus  Henrie  averted  his  eyes  modestly, 
and  appeared  confused  ;  but  rallied  immediately, 
and  replied  with  tolerable  grace  and  assurance  : 

"  To  tell  the  truth,  sir  (which  they  say  must 
not  be  spoken  at  all  times),  I  have  done  but  a 
very  little  to  contribute  towards  your  recovery, 
or  happiness ;  and  to  my  fair  cousin,  Marianna, 
you  owe  all  your  thanks." 

Walter  fixed  his  gaze  once  more  upon  the 
large,  dreamy  eyes  of  Augustus,  and  determin- 
ed yet  again  not  to  like  him. 

' '  I  evidently  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  sonje 
person  or  persons,  and  I  am  content  to  pay  the 
larger  share  to  Marianna.  Will  that  do,  my 
hid?" 

"  I  am  content,"  replied  Augu.stus.  "  But 
how  is  this  V  I  did  not  expect  to  find  you  ra- 
tional. It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  see  you 
thus." 

"  How  long  have  I  been  ill?"  asked  Ething- 
ton,  turning  to  Marianna. 

"  The  battle  of  San  Jacinto  was  fought  three 
days  ago,"  she  replied. 

"  It  has  not  seemed  as  many  hours." 

"  Probably  not,  which  is  a  very  good  thing, 
as  you  were  not  sensible  of  your  sufferings  and 
danger." 

"Havel  talked  very  wildly?"  he  asked, 
anxiously. 

"You  have  talked  considerably,  and  that 
question  reminds  me  of  what  the  physician  told 
me  ;  that  I  must  not  permit  you  to  talk  much  if 
you  should  recover  your  consciousness.  I  mast 
now  enforce  obedience." 

"I  shall  endeavor  to  submit  gracefidly,"  he 
replied,  with  a  faint  smile  ;  "for  to  tell  the 
truth,  I  do  not  feel  very  strong." 

Augastus  now   withdpiw,    a-od    Walter  waa 


38 


glad  to  be  alone  again  with  his  fair  nurse 
remarked,  still  smiling : 

"  I  should  like  that  boy  better,  if  he  were  not 
so  foppish." 

"He's  a  good-hearted  creature,"  replied 
Marianna  ;  "  and  I  hope  you  will  become  very 
good  firiends." 

Ethiugton  now  inquired  about  Captain  Wil- 
son, and  learned  that  he  had  been  wounded,  by 
a  shot  from  an  unknown  marksman  ;  and  that 
the  faithful  Felix  was  unremitting  in  his  atten- 
tions. 

Marianna  would  allow  him  to  ask  no  more 
questions,  and  he  was  forced  to  content  himself 
with  what  information  he  had  gained.  Wearied 
with  the  exertion  of  talking,  he  sank  into  a  re- 
freshing sleep,  the  first  he  had  experienced  for 
several  days.  He  awoke  in  the  course  of  the 
ensuing  night,  and  saw  Aug-ustus  watching  be- 
side him.  He  took  some  medicine  from  his 
youthful  attendant,  and  did  not  awake  again 
until  near  morning,  when  the  youth  was  still 
sitting  by  the  bed  very  patiently. 

Ethington  observed  him  for  a  moment  through 
his  half  shut  lids.  He  was  sitting  by  a  small 
table  with  his  elbow  upon  it,  and  liis  forehead 
reposing  in  the  palm  of  his  hand.  His  features 
were  regular,  quite  pale,  though  very  comely  to 
look  upon,  and  some  stray  ringlets  of  his  long, 
black,  curling  hair  rested  upon  his  cheek. 

Despite  the  antipathy  which  Ethington  had 
taken  to  Augustus,  he  was  candid  enough  to 
:  admit  there  was  something  interesting  and  at- 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 
He 


tractive  about  him,  which  under  other  circum- 
stances might  have  won  his  friendship  ;  but  he, 
could  not  forget  that  he  had  twice  seen  him  with' 
Ridgley.  Walter's  heart  accused  hun  of  ingrat- 
itude. Had  not  this  youth  befriended  him, 
and  passed  many  sleepless  hours  by  his  couch  of 
suffering  ?  He  resolved  to  conquer  his  pre- 
judice. 

In  a  kindly  voice  he  urged  the  boy  to  retire, 
or  allow  Felix  to  take  his  place.  Augustus 
assured  him  that  he  felt  no  weariness,  but  if  he 
preferred  the  society  of  his  colored  servant,  ho 
would  leave  him.  Ethington  answered  that  he 
must  be  sadly  in  want  of  sleep,  and  under  the 
circumstances  he  should  prefer  Felix.  The 
youth  withdrew,  and  as  his  light  and  symmetri- 
cal figure  disappeared,  Walter  sighed  and  felt 
that  he  was  ungrateful  to  the  kind  and  uwpre- 
suming  lad. 

Felix  manifested  unfeigned  joy  at  the  pros- 
pect of  his  master's  recovery,  which  he  had 
hitherto  despaired  of.  and  declared  his  fixed  in- 
tention of  punishing  Captain  Wilson  for  leading 
him  into  danger.  He  said  he  sliould  "  'spre.sa 
hisself  freely  on  that  subjeck,  and  teach  Massa 
Kentuck  to  promulgate,"  in  a  different  direc- 
tion. 

Ethington  now  learned,  with  much  satisfac- 
tion, of  the  capture  of  Santa  Anna.  Felix- 
described  very  minutely  his  appearance,  and  the 
interview  with  General  Houston,  in  which  he 
styled  himself,  in  tlie  true  spirit  of  arrogance, 
the  "  Napoleon  of  the  West." 


CnAPTER  VII. 


WIKOFF     AND     COGSWELL. 


'^Tf^IME   passed   on.     April   came   with   its 

U  showers  and  sunshine.  It  was  a  warm, 
clear  day ;  the  sun  had  passed  the  meridian. 
A  man  was  standing  upon  the  ea,st  bank  of  the 
Nueces  river,  looking  thoughtfully  into  the 
water.  Just  above  him,  on  the  right,  was  a 
thick  chapparel,  and  below  was  a  broad  strip 
of  bottom-land  or  interval. 

He  turned  slowly  and  walked  towards  the 
latter,  and  approaching  the  water,  commenced 
washing  out  his  rifle.  While  he  was  thus  em- 
ployed, another  person  appeared  at  the  extremi- 
ty of  the  bottom-land,  and  after  scrutinizing  him 
for  a  few  seconds,  advanced,  though  not  without 
some  hesitation. 

"  Washing  out  your  shootin'  iron?"  he  ob- 
served, when  within  a  few  yards  of  the  individual 
first  mentioned. 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  party  addressed,  gruffly. 
' '  It  don't  require  much  penetration  to  see 
that." 

"  I  think  I  shall  follow  your  example,"  added 
the  other,  nothing  daunted  by  the  very  courte- 
ous reply. 


"  As  you  will ;  there  is  plenty  of  water." 

"So  it  would  seem,"  replied  the  new-comer, 
somewhat  testily ;  and  immediately  set  about 
cleansing  his  rifle. 

The  other  party  completed  his  task,  and  sit- 
ting down  upon  the  grass,  observed  the  stranger 
with  considerable  interest. 

"  Perhaps  you  belong  to  the  Rangers?"  he 
remarked,  at  length. 

"  Perhaps  I  don't,"  was  the  brief  rejoinder. 

"  Did  you  fight  at  San  Jacinto?" 

"  I  can't  say  that  I  did  particularly.  I  look 
out  for  number  one,  principally." 

"  That's  the  rule  I  go  upon,  and  I  find  it 
works  very  well.  I  hope  you  wont  be  oflfended 
if  I  ask  your  name  ?" 

' '  You  seemed  to  be  rather  short  with  me  just 
now,  but  I  don't  mind  telling  you  my  name. 
I  am  called  Cogswell." 

"  A  very  good  name,  I  am  sure. '  In  return 
for  your  politeness,  I  would  say  that  my  name 
is  WikofF." 

"  Rather  interesting  news,"  said  CogiSwell, 
squinting  rather  comically. 


40 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


\ 


Wikoff  tauiled,  and  asked  if  lie  had  been  long 
ia  that  part  tif  the  country.  Cogswell  replied 
that  he  had  not. 

"It  appears  somewhat  singular,"  added 
Wikoff;  "  that  you  do  not  take  part  in  the 
struggle  now  going  on  between  the  Texans  and 
the  Mexicans?" 

"I  have  business  enough  of  my  own  to  at- 
tend to,"  answered  Cogswell,  with  a  scowl. 

"Some  enemy  to  punish,  or  possibly  some 
fair  girl  to  woo,"  replied  Wikoff,  lightly,  at  the 
same  time  watching  the  countenance  of  Cogs- 
well with  the  greatest  interest. 

With  a  quiet  smile  of  satisfaction  he  saw  the 
blood  rush  tumultuously  to  his  face,  and  knew 
that  he  had  touched  the  right  chord  at  last. 

"  Stranger,  you  seem  to  be  rather  inquisitive, 
but  in  your  last  remark  you  wasn't  far  from  the 
truth.  I  have  an  enemy  to  punish,  and  there 
is  a  fair  maiden  I  would  win." 

"  Spoken  like  a  brave  fellow  and  a  true 
man!"  exclaimed  Wikoff,  with  wannth.  "I 
perceive  that  you  are  made  of  the  right  kind  of 
material.  I  see  plainly  that  we  are  destined  to 
become  good  friends,  and  who  knows  but  we 
may  be  of  mutual  service  to  each  other ;  for  I 
ako  have  an  enemy  to  punish." 

"  Grive  us  your  bread-hook  !"  said  Cogswell, 
with  some  enthusiasm.  "  You're  a  smart,  chap, 
and  we  shall  get  on  well  together." 

"  Very  happy  to  make  your  acquaintance. 
Our  meeting  appears  to  be  quite  providential. 
I  am  glad  you  do  not  belong  to  the  Rangers." 

"  I  hate  the  Rangers,  and  the  captain  moit 
than  all." 

"  I  guess  3'our  secret ;  he's  your  rival,  doubt- 
less?" 

"I  own  up  to  the  charge,"  responded  Cogs- 
well. 

"  Now  this  is  a  very  sihgular  coincidence,  sir, 
for  the  man.  whom  I  can  endure  least  of  all  men 
living,  also  belongs  to  the  Rangers,  or  at  least 
he  is  with  them.  The  captain's  name  is  Wilson, 
I  believe?" 

"It  is." 

"  I  have  met  huu,"  continued  Wikoff. 


"  He's  much  attached  ioy^^Xarnm  scarum 
fellow,  sometimes  called  the  '  Texan  Bravo,' 
but  whose  name  I  think  is  Ethington." 

"  That's  my  man,"  added  Wikoff,  contract- 
ing his  brows  fiercely. 

"  He  was  wounded  in  a  duel,  I  heard,  and 
came  near  dying.  Perhaps  you're  the  chap 
that  drew  trigger  upon  him  ?" 

"  I  have  no  wish  to  deny  it.  I  only  regret 
that  my  aim  was  not  better.  Sit  down  here, 
and  I  will  speak  plainly.  I  once  loved  a  maid- 
en;  her  name  was  Andrea  St.  Aubei-t.  A 
favorable  opportunity-  offered  and  I  declared  my 
passion.  The  result  you  have  doubtless  antici- 
pated. I  was  rejected.  A  short  time  after,  I 
saw  her  with  a  young  gentleman.  I  inquired 
his  name,  and  was  told  that  it  was  Walter 
Ethington,  a  favored  lover.  This  information 
filled  me  with  indignation,  and  I  resolved  to 
break  up  the  engagement  in  a  way  that  would 
be  deeply  humiliating  to  both,  more  especially 
to  Ethington.  I  accordingly  set  my  wits  at 
work,  and  succeeded  as  well  as  I  could  have 
wished.  The  particulars  of  the  plot  by  which  I 
accomplished  my  purpose,  I  will  not  at  this  tinic 
divulge.  Grieved  and  mortified  at  the  supposed 
perfidy  of  Andrea,  Ethington  came  to  Texas  and 
joined  in  the  struggle  against  the  dictator  of 
Mexico. 

"  When  the  surprise  of  Miss  Aubert  had  in 
some  measure  subsided,  I  again  ventured  to  re- 
new the  old  subject,  and  was  more  decidedly 
rejected  than  before.  Soon  after  tliis  event  she 
suddenly  disappeared,  and  it  was  nimored  that 
she  had  gone  to  visit  an  uncle  rosidbg  in  Texas. 
Determined  to  carr^-  my  point,  I  immediately 
came  hither,  resolved  that  if  I  could  not  suc- 
ceed in  winning  her  affections,  to  bo  near  to 
prevent  any  explanation  between  her  and  her 
lover." 

"  And  perhaps  do  more  than  that,"  added 
Cogswell. 

"That  is  true;  I  would,"  replied  Wikoff. 
' '  I  cannot  tolerate  him — he  is  a  serpent  in  my 
path.  I  would  place  my  heel  upon  him  and 
destroy  him." 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


41 


"  There  is  every  chance  for  you  to  do  so," 
answered  Cogswell.  "  The  Rangers  ai-e  en- 
camped only  a  couple  of  miles  below  here,  and 
he  is  with  them.  It  would  be  easy  to  surprise 
him  in  his  walks,  and — " 

' '  I  understand  ;  but  there  Is  a  colored  fellow 
with  him,  who  scarcely  ever  leaves  him,  and  it 
would  be  more  difficult  to  deal  with  him  than 
with  his  master." 

"  Serve  him  the  same  way,"  said  Cogswell. 

"  And  what  will  you  do  with  Captain  Wil- 
son?" asked  WikofF. 

"  Just  what  you  would  do  with  Ethiugton,  if 
you  had  him  in  your  power.  Have  you  found 
this  Miss  St.  Aubertyet?" 

Wikoff  hesitated  a  moment,  and  then  an- 
swered : 

"  I  have  reason  to  suppose  that  I  have  ;  but 
I  will  not  speak  of  the  subject  at  this  time,  for 
reasons  of  my  own.  If  I  have  found  her,  I  will 
keep  my  own  secret,  for  the  present.  And  now 
let  us  devise  some  method  of  carrying  out  our 
mutual  wishes  in  regard  to  these  two  men,  whom 
we  consider  our  enemies." 

To  this  proposal  Cogswell  readily  assented ; 
the  two  then  proceeded  to  plan  a  nefarious 
scheme  for  the  destruction  of  Ethington  and 
"Wilson.  The  conversation  continued  for  a  long 
time.  The  parties  came  to  a  very  good  under- 
standing, and  appeared  mutually  pleased  with 
each  other.  But  Wikoff  was  evidently  the 
shrewdest  of  the  two  ;  he  had  the  deepest  knowl- 
edge of  human  nature,  and  sufficient  skill  to 
make  a  mere  tool  of  Cogswell. 

When  everything  had  been  talked  over  and 
arranged  in  regard  to  their  future  proceedings, 
they  walked  towards  the  spot  where  the  Texan 
Rangers  were  encamped. 

It  will  be  well  for  us  to  remark  in  this  place, 
that  after  the  capture  of  Santa  Anna,  most  of 
the  Mexican  forces  had  withdrawn  to  the  west 
side  of  the  Rio  G-rande  ;  but  quietness  and  or- 
der was  by  no  means  restored  to  the  frontiers 
of  the  Lone  Star.  Bexar  was  still  harassed  by 
marauding  partie^s  of  the  enemy,  and  by  lawless 
banditti,  who  carried  on  a  kind  of  guerrilla  war- 
fare, to  the  great  annoyance  of  the  inhabitants. 


The  Rangers  had  ac«ordmgly  been  stationed 
there  to  punish  offenders,  and  preserve  peace 
and  order.  It  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing 
that  our  hero  had  recovered  from  his  wounds, 
and  had  fl.ccompanled  the  party  to  whom  he  had 
become  attached,  and  whose  dangers  he  had 
shared  at  San  Jacinto. 

As  Wikoff  and  Cogswell  neared  the  encamp- 
ment they  advanced  with  more  cautiousness,  and 
when  they  came  within  sight  of  it,  concealed 
themselves  from  observation  in  some  musquit 
bushes. 

It  happened  to  be  the  hour  on  which  the 
Rangers  were  wont  to  parade  ;  accordingly  ihey 
were  formed  and  went  through  various  evolu- 
tions in  fine  style,  after  which  they  practised 
target  shootiiig. 

Whether  Wikoff  and  Cogswell  did  not  expe- 
rience sensations  of  sh;mie  at  seeing  those  brave 
men  disciplining  themselves  in  warlike  arts,  in 
order  to  defend  their  country  and  repel  tyranny, 
we  do  not  know ;  but  it  is  certain  that  they 
should  have  felt  such  emotions,  if  their  souls  yet 
retained  a  single  spark  of  patriotism. 

At  a  short  distance  from  the  company  siood 
Ethington,  observing  their  evolutions  with  in- 
terest ;  and  near  him  was  the  faithful  Felix. 

"There,"  said  Wikoff,  pointing  at  the  for- 
mer, "you  behold  my  enemy." 

' '  And  I  must  say  that  he  is  not  a  bad  look- 
ing man,"  replied  Cogswell.  "  Though  I  like 
him  not,  he  has  a  fine  figure,  a  pleasing  count e- 
nancs,  and  the  reputation  of  being  rashly  brave ; 
qualities  which  are  veiy  likely  to  make  him  a 
dangerous  rival." 

Wikoff  muttered  something  indistinctly  be- 
tween his  teeth,  and  glanced  indignantly  at  his 
new  friend. 

' '  You  do  well  to  try  to  get  him  out  of  the 
way,  if  Andrea  St.  Aubert  is  inclined  to  love 
him,"  added  Cogswell. 

Wikoff  bit  his  lip  and  remained  moodily  silent. 
The  former  res-umed  : 

' '  Thai  straight,  independent  looking  fellow 
is  the  captain  of  the  Rangers.  He  is  as  hateful 
to  my  sight  as  the  '  Texan  Bravo  '  can  be  to 
yours.     He  bears  upon  his  person   a  wound  of 


42 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


my  making ;  may   the  second   one  prove  more 
deep  and  deadly.     And  then — " 

"The  most  difficult  part   of  the  business  re- 
mains to  be  done,"  interrupted  Wikoff. 
"What  is  that?"  asked  Cogswell. 
"  To  win  Marianna  Lee." 
Cogswell  sighed  heavily,  and  gave  utterance 
to  something  that  sounded  like  an  oath  ;  for  he 
felt  the  justness  of  the  remark. 

At  that  moment  Felix  was  observed  to  leave 
his  master's  side  and  walk  up  the  river.  He 
passed  the  spot  where  Wilioff  and  his  ally  were 
concealed,  singing  a  favorite  negro  melody. 

"  Let  us  follow  him,"  said  Wikoff,  and  the 
worthy  pair  immediately  left  their  hiding-place, 
and  acted  upon  the  suggestion.  Felix  saunter- 
ed on  for  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  wholly  un- 
conscious that  his  movements  were  watched. 
,  "Let  us  seize  him,"  added  Wikoff. 

'■  Agreed,"  said  the  other,  and  both  rushed 
upon  Felix  and  caught  him  by  the  arms  ;  he 
etmggled  violently,  and  shook  them  off.  Wikoff 
instantly  levelled  his  rifle  at  the  African's  head, 
and  threatened  to  shoot  him,  if  he  did  not  sul> 
mit  peaceably  to  their  wishes.  Felix  looked  at 
the  presented  rifle  with  alarm,  and  a.skod  what 
they  wanted. 

"  Come  with  us,  and  do  not  resist,"  replied 
Wikoff.  "  Tie  his  hands,  Cogswell,  and  if  he 
resists,  I  will  shoot  him." 

Cogswell  took  the  belt  which  he  wore  about 
his  waist  and  approached  Felix.  The  latter 
held  out  his  hands,  and  when  the  former  was 
sufficiently  near,  seized  him  with  a  powerful 
grasp  and  instantly  thrust  his  body  between 
Wikoff  and  himself. 


"Fire,  massa  debbil — go  yer  death!"  cried 
Felix,  while  he  made  a  shield  of  Cogswell,  who 
struggled  in  vain  to  free  himself  from  the  strong 
arms  which  held  him.  This  demonstration  on 
the  part  of  the  negro  put  Wikoff  in  a  rage,  and 
he  would  gladly  have  shot  him  down  without 
remorse,  could  he  have  done  so  without  danger 
to  Cogswell ;  but  he  could  not,  and  it  was  in 
vain  that  he  tried. 

"Knock  him  over  the  head  with  the  breech 
of  your  riflo;  crack  his  skull  I"  exclaimed 
Cogswell. 

"  'Sprcss  yerself ;  promulgate,"  said  Felix, 
watching  the  movements  of  Wikoff  attentively, 
who,  resolved  to  follow  Cog.swell's  advice,  now 
cautiously  approached  the  negro  with  his  weapon 
uprai-sed. 

Tlie  moment  came  for  which  Felix  had  waited  ; 
he  raised  his  great  fist,  dashed  Cog;-well  to  the 
earth,  and  with  a  shout  sprang  upon  Wikoff. 
With  his  left  hand  he  arrested  the  descending 
weapon,  and  with  the  other  stmck  a  tremendous 
blow  against  the  forehead  of  Wikoff,  who  fell 
down  like  an  ox  that  was  stricken  with  a  butch- 
er's axe. 

"  Go  it,  white  folks  I  Yah,  yah  !  Hoah, 
heahV  The  next  moment  a  "  cullud  inder- 
vidooal,"  resembling  Felix  more  than  any  other 
person,  was  seen  running  very  rapidly  towards 
the  camp  of  the  Texan  Kangcrs. 

When  Wikoff  and  Cogswell  recovered  some- 
what from  the  shock  which  they  had  received, 
they  raised  themselves  slowly  upon  their  elbowa 
and  gazed  lugubriously  into  the  faces  of  each 
other. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


ANDREA    ST.    AUBKRT THE    RING. 


9F  the  reader  will  consent  to  accompany  us  to 
San  Antonio  de  Bexar,  we  will  make  him 
more  intimately  acquainted  with  characters  who 
have  hitherto  been  kept  in  the  back  ground,  or 
only  casually  noticed. 

We  are  informed  upon  credible  authority  that 
the  only  places  occupied  by  a  white  population 
in  1821,  were  the  Spanish  posts  of  San  Antonio, 
Nocadoches  and  Goliad,  comprising  in  all  about 
three  thousand  inhabitants.  Not  long  after,  in 
consequence  of  the  inducements  held  out  to  set- 
tlers, there  was  an  extraordinary  influx  of  em- 
igrants from  the  United  States. 

Many  of  those  who  sought  homes  in  the  new 
country  carried  with  them  slaves.  Mr.  Ridgley 
was  among  the  early  emigrants  from  the  great 
republic.  He  had  settled  at  San  Antonio,  and 
accumulated  a  handsome  property  by  industry 
and  attention  to  business. 

It  is  known  that  in  1832  the  people  of  Texas 
formed  a  State  Constitution,  and  tried  to  obtain 
from  the  Mexican  Congress  an  admission  into 
the  confederacy,  as  an  independent  State.  The 
refusal  resulted  in  an  appeal  to  arms,  and  after 


that  period,  San  Antonio  de  Bexar  had  but  lit- 
tle rest  and  tranquillity  ;  it  was  subject  to  con- 
tinual alarm.s  and  invasions  from  the  enemy, 
and  fell  into  their  possession  several  times. 

!Mr.  Ridgley,  having  taken  an  active  part  in 
the  war  policy,  was  obliged  on  several  occasions 
to  seek  safety  in  flight,  and  bore  arras  against 
the  invaders  more  than  once. 

When  the  enemy  were  driven  out,  he  return- 
ed to  look  after  his  affiiirs  and  repair  damages  ; 
for  war  always  leaves  the  imprint  of  his  destroy- 
ing hand  upon  everything  which  falls  in  his 
way. 

Mr.  Ridgley  owned  an  elegant  mansion  at 
San  Antonio,  which  had  miraculously  escaped 
destruction  during  all  the  vicissitudes  of  the 
sanguinary  struggle,  and  we  now  find  him  oc- 
cupying it  with  his  family. 

It  was  the  evening  of  the  day  succeeding  the 
events  of  the  last  chapter.  A  gentle  moon  and 
bright  silvery  stars  illuminated  the  arch  of  the 
overhanging  skies.  Two  young  ladies  were 
walking  aim  in  arm  in  the  garden  attached  to 
Mr.  Ridgley 's    establishment.       Both   were    a 


44 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


little  above  the  medium  height,  well-formed 
aud  graceful,  and  bore  a  strikmg  resemblance 
to  each  other.  One  was  Andrea  St.  Aubert — 
our  heroine — and  the  other,  her  cousin  Eosalia, 
Mr.  Ridgley's  only  daughter. 

"  KI  thought,"  said  Andrea,  looking  tunidly 
at  her  companion,  "  that  I  had  overstepped  the 
bounds  of  maidenly  reserve  and  modesty,  I 
should  indeed  be  deej^ly  mortified.'' 

"My  fair  cousin,"  replied  Rosalia,  earnestly, 
' '  highly  endowed  as  you  are  with  good  sense 
and  noble  sentiments,  it  is  quite  impo.ssible  that 
you  should  or  could  have  done  aught  to  cause 
you  a  single  sigh  of  regret  or  blush  of  shame. 
It  is  said  that  each  one  of  us  has  an  angel,  and 
that  he  keeps  a  record  of  all  our  worthy  actions, 
and  I  am  sure  there  has  been  something  good 
accredited  to  you  by  his  ready  pen  long  before 
this  hour — those  very  deeds  which  you  are  now 
disposed  to  blush  and  cry  about." 

A  tear  of  gratitude  moistened  the  dark  eyes 
of  Andrea ;  she  pressed  her  friend's  hand  in 
silence. 

"  Had  I  been  placed  in  your  circumstances, 
my  cousin,  I  should  have  attempted  to  do  just 
what  you  accomplished  so  nobly.  You  have  a 
deep  conviction  that  there  has  been  a  cruel  mis- 
understanding on  the  part  of — of — " 

"Walter,"  added  Andrea,  softly. 

"On  tlie  part  of  Walter,"  said  Rosalia; 
"  resultmg  from  the  jealousy  or  malice  of  some 
person  unknown.  As  your  conscience  acquits 
you  of  giving  any  real  cause  of  offence,  you  have 
felt  it  your  duty  to  be  friendly  to  him  still,  and 
learn,  if  possible,  the  reason  of  his  strange  de- 
sertion of  one  so  dear  as  you  must  have  been  to 
him  ;  for  I  believe  that  few  young  gentlemen 
could  see  you  without — " 

"Hush,  Rosalia;  don't  flatter  me,"  said 
Andrea. 

"  You  have  learned  that  he  still  loves  you, 
though  fully  of  the  opinion  that  you  were  false 
to  your  professions  of  attachment.  In  the  hour 
of  your  bitter  disappointment,  you  came  hither 
to  find  what  consolation  you  might  in  my  friend- 
ship; that  was  not  wi'ong,  certainly.  Soon 
after  you  learned,  by  various  ways  and  means, 


that  your  false  lover  was  here,  fighting  in  the 
Texan  army  with  rash  daring,  seekuig  death  in 
the  thickest  of  the  fight,  doing  prodigies  of 
valor,  and  providentially  escaping  unharmed  on 
most  occasions.  All  that  took  place  afterward 
was  done  with  my  approval,  and  the  consent  of 
my  father,  your  uncle  ;  for  he  said,  '  it  was  a 
pity  that  two  young  persons  who  loved  each 
other,  should  be  separated  by  a  trifling  misun- 
derstanding.' Believing  as  he  does  in  your  in- 
nocence, be  assured  that  he  is  too  proud  and 
noble  to  compromise  you,  in  any  manner  what- 
ever ;  and  if  the  truth  were  known,  has  been 
rather  severe  with  Ethington  than  otherwise. 
I  am  certain  that  he  required  your  lover  to  re- 
turn and  ask  your  pardon  upon  his  knees." 

"  I  am  sure  he  ought  to,"  replied  Andrea, 
with  a  smile. 

"  And  I  predict  that  he  will,  when  the  truth 
is  known,"  added  Rosalia. 

"Hark  I"  said  Andrea.  "I  thought  I 
heard  some  one  climbuig  over  the  wall." 

"Where'?"  a.«ked  Rosalia. 

"  There — in  that  direction,"  an.swered  An- 
drea. 

"  Let  us  walk  towards  the  spot,''  said  the 
other. 

"  No  let  us  retire  to  the  house,  rejoined  her 
cousin  ;  but  Rosalia  drew  her  along  with  gentle 
force  towards  the  spot  indicated. 

"  Don't  be  alarmed,  fair  ladies,"  said  a  voice. 
"  Pardon  this  intrusion."  The  figure  of  a  tall 
man  emerged  from  the  shrubbery  which  grew  by 
the  wall,  and  stood  before  the  two  girls.  He 
lifted  his  hat  and  bowed  verj'  low. 

"  Come  away,"  whispered  Andrea  to  her 
companion. 

"What  is  your  wish,  sir?"  asked  Rosalia. 

"  To  speak  a  few  words  with  Miss  St.  Au- 
bert," replied  the  intruder.  "  Will  you  do  me 
the  favor  to  retire  a  moment,  that  I  may  address 
her  alone  ?" 

"  No,  sir,  I  will  not ;  she  has  no  secrets  that 
she  would  keep  from  me.  If  you  have  aught  to 
say,  speak  on,  or  leave  us  instantly." 

"  You  are  pleased  to  be  severe  with  me," 
said  the  man. 


THE  TEXAN  BRAYO. 


45 


"  Do  you  know  this  rude  person!"  asked 
Rosalia,  turning  to  xVndrea. 

"  His  voice  sounds  familiar.  I  should  say 
that  I  had  met  him  somewhere  ;  but  if  so,  I 
have  no  desire  to  renew  the  ao!|utiintance,"  re- 
plied Andrea,  with  a  slight  shudder. 

"  You  hear  what  iMis-s  St.  Aubert  says,"  add- 
ed Rosalia,  firmly. 

"  I  do,"  returned  Wikoff,  with  another  bow. 
"  I  once  presumed  to  speak  to  Miss  .St.  Aubert 
on  a  certain  subject.  She  was  pleased  to  dis- 
courage my  hopes,  and  I  suljmitted  to  my  fate 
as  best  I  might.  Since  that  time  I  have  stnig- 
gled  with  my  unhappy  passion,  and  I  trast  I 
shall  overcome  it ;  at  lea.st  I  shall  tnmble  her 
no  more  with  the  recital  of  my  love  ;  it  were  a 
useless  task,  and  painful  withal,  and  I  came  not 
hither  to  s^-.cnk  of  it.  I  have  come  to  bid  her 
adieu  forever." 

"It  is  Wik(jfF!"  exclahned  Andrea,  trem- 
bling violently. 

"  Yes,  it  Is  that  unhapjiy  man,"  siglied 
WikofF.  "  Suffer  me  to  kneel  but  one  moment 
at  your  feet — to  press  your  hand  once  more  to 
my  lips,  and  then  you  will  be  spared  the  pain 
of  seeing  me  again  in  this  world  of  vicissitude 
and  suffering." 

While  WikofF  was  speaking,  he  advanced 
quickly,  caught  the  hand  of  Andrea  and  sank 
upon  his  knees,  pressed  it  kustily  to  his  lips, 
and  seemed  loth  to  relinquish  it. 

"  Go,  sir,  go  !"  cried  Andrea,  much  disturb- 
ed at  thisunlooked  for  demonstration.  "  Leave 
me,  I  entreat  of  you,  and  let  me  never  behold 
you  again  ;  your  presence  makes  me  miserable  ; 
I  cannot  be  happy  near  you." 

Wikofi"  released  her  hand,  and  arose  from  his 
humble  posture,  while  our  heroine  clung  ner- 
vously to  Rosalia  for  support. 

"  Duty  to  God  and  to  you.  Miss  St.  Aubert, 
prompts  me  to  say  a  few  words  more  before  I 
tear  myself  from  your  presence  forever.  There 
ia  a  certain  person — I  will  not  speak  his  name 
in  your  pure  ears — once  favored  with  some  por- 
tion of  your  regard,  who  now  vilifies  your  name, 
and  speaks  it  and  causes  it  to  be  spoken  where 
it  should  not  be  heard.     I  have  heard  the  name 


of  Andrea  St.  Auliert  coupled  with  the  rude 
jest  and  ribald  song  in  yonder  camp,  and  my 
blood  has  boiled  to  punish  the  villain." 


Walter  Ethlnfftc 


cried  An- 


drea, in  tones  of  real  anguish.  "  You  speak 
falsely — it  cannot  be — it  Ls  not  his  nature." 

"Alas,"  added  WikofF,  solemnly,  "how 
prone  is  the  tra.sting  heart  to  deception.  Far 
be  it  from  ms  to  disturb  your  tranquillity  of 
mind,  or  trample  upon  the  hopes  which  you  still 
fondly  cherish.  Time  will  test  my  friendship 
and  truth,  though  it  cannot  heal  the  wounds  of 
a  broken  heart.  I  could  have  wished,  and  have 
wished,  and  do  wish  that  this  man  whom  you 
have  deigned  to  love,  were  more  deserving  of 
your  affections.  He  deserted  you  basely — most 
basely — and  seemed  insensible  of  the  happiness 
of  being  beloved  by  an  angel." 

WikofF  paused,  passed  his  liand  suddenly 
across  hiis  eyes,  and  then  added,  still  more  im- 
pressively : 

"  Had  this  young  man  been  worthy  of  you, 
I  could  have  resigned  all  hope  of  winning  your 
affections  with  half  the  internal  strife  it  is  cost^ 
ing  me  ;  but  let  that  pass  ;  the  ways  of  Heaven 
are  inscrutable.  Peerless  Andrea,  idol  of  my 
soul  !     I  bid  you  adieu.'''' 

Wikoff  bowed  once  more,  and  turning  quick- 
ly, disappeared  from  view. 

"  Courage,"  said  Rosalia,  supporting  Andrea, 
who  was  nearly  unconscious,  so  much  had  she 
been  agitated  by  this  strange  scene.  "  He  has 
gone — we  are  alone." 

"  Forgive  this  weakness,"  said  Andrea. 
"  The  sight  of  that  man  always  makes  me  mis- 
erable. I  instinctively  shrink  from  him ;  he 
terrifies  me  ;  he  is  evil ;  I  know  it  by  intui- 
tion." 

The  young  ladies  now  walked  slowly  towards 
the  house,  Rosalia  striving  to  re-assure  and 
comfort  her  friend  with  gentle  and  hopeful 
words.  Soon  after  entering  the  parlor,  Andrea 
discovered  that  a  ring  w]ii(;h  she  had  worn  upon 
the  third  finger  of  her  left  hand,  was  no  longer 
tliere.  She  coummnicated  the  fact  to  Rosalia, 
remarking  that  it  was  the  only  article  in  her 
possession  which  had  belonged  to  Ethmgton. 


46 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


"  WikofFtook  your  loft  hand,"  sa 

"  And  he  has  taken  the  ring,"  replied  An- 
drea ;  "  for  I  had  it  upon  my  finger  when  I 
went  into  the  garden." 

In  this  opinion,  Miss  Ridglcy  fully  concurred  ; 
she  had  observed  that  the  ring  was  rather  large, 
and  could  easily  be  slipped  off.  This  circum- 
stance caused  our  heroine  much  pain,  for  she 
highly  valued  the  ring,  and  knew  not  what  use 
Wikoff  might  make  of  it ;  and  indeed  she  was 
not  a  little  vexed  at  his  presumption  in  daring 
to  possess  himself  of  it  in  such  a  manner. 

While  she  was  reflecting  upon  this  subject, 
Mr.  Ridglcy  made  his  appearance,  bringing 
news  of  considerable  importance.  He  had 
hoard  that  there  were  a  largo  number  of  ilexi- 
cans,  flitting  up  and  down  the  Nueces  river, 
watching  for  an  Opportunity  to  plunder  Sun 
Antonio  de  Bexar, 

"  But  the  Texan  Rangers  are  encamped  ncju- 
us,"  said  Rosalia.  "  Are  tliey  not  sufliciently 
strong  to  defend  the  place  V" 

"  They  are  but  a  handful  of  men,  although 
their  number  has  boon  doubled  since  the  battle 
of  San  Jacinto,  and  the  enemy  are  said  to  ex- 
ceed them  greatly  numerically-— two  to  one,  at 
least,"  replied  Ridglcy.  "  They  are  stimulated 
by  the  hope  of  plunder,  and  will  fight  hotter, 
probably,  than  Mexicans  are  wont  without  this 
powerful  incentive.  1  had  hoped  that  since  the 
decisive  affair  of  San  Jacinto,   we  should  have 


peace  ;  but  it  would  seem  that  we  are  doomed 
to  disappointment.  We  have  now  to  deal  with 
what  appears  a  lawless  banditti,  having  no  other 
aim  than  bloodshed  and  indiscriminate  plun- 
der." 

"  Wo  must  trust  in  the  Rangers,  my  dear 
uncle,"  said  Andrea. 

"  And  in  God,"  added  Ridgley,  solemnly. 

"  Was  it  not  stipulated  by  Santa  Anna,  that 
all  his  forces  should  withdraw  to  the  west  side 
of  the  Rio  Grande  I"  asked  Rosalia. 

"  It  W!is ;  and  the  promise  has  been  in  a 
measure  fulfilled  ;  but  those  who  are  now  hov- 
ering about  Bexar,  like  hungry  wolves,  care 
little  for  stipulations  and  agreements ;  they 
know  no  law  but  their  own  wills.  They  respect 
no  governments,  either  human  or  divine,  and 
their  masters  are  their  own  unrestrained  desires. 
If  they  would  come  out  and  attack  us  boldly, 
we  should  fear  them  but  little,  and  have  no 
great  difficulty  in  defending  our  own  ;  but  they 
will  watch  their  time  and  full  upon  us  like 
thieves  in  the  night."  .,,^ 

"  Is  tho  danger  then  so  great  V"  continued 
Rosalia.  ^ 

"  I  would  not  ahirm  you  unnecessarily;  but 
leave  you  to  draw  your  own  inferences  from 
what  I  have  stated." 

Soon  after  this  conversation  the  family  retired, 
each  unusually  thoughtful,  and  anxious  for  the 
future . 


CHAPTER  IX. 


AN  UNKXPKCTED  EVENT OUR  HERO    A  PRISONER. 


ALTER  ETIIINGTON  wjis  consider- 
altly  surprised  when  Felix  returned  and 
related  his  adventure  with  Wikoff  and  Cogs- 
well, whom  he  described  as  aceuralely  as  possi- 
ble ;  and  our  hero  was  not  much  at  a  loss  to 
determine  who  they  wore,  and  the  ohjoct  they 
had  in  view.  Some  portion  of  "SValter's  mis- 
anthropy had  worn  nfF,  and  he  was  lieartily  glail 
that  his  taitliful  friend  had  escaped  so  well.  lie 
strongly  advised  him  to  be  careful  in  his  future 
walks,  always  to  go  armed,  and  never  venture 
out  of  sight  of  the  camp.  He  requested  Felix 
to  relate  the  affair  to  Captain  AVil.'on,  and  both 
agreed  that  Cogswell  and  AVikofF  must  have 
been  the  parties  concenied,  and  that  some  mis- 
chief was  evidently  in  progress,  which  it  was 
their  duty  to  guard  against  by  every  rational 
means. 

"Both  of  them  have  sought  to  take  our 
lives,"  said  Wilson,  "  in  an  underhanded  and 
unmanly  way.  Cogswell  was,  no  doubt,  the 
unseen  marksman  who  wounded  me  after  the 
battle  of  San  Jacinto,  and  "Wikoff  acted  the 
coward    and  the  assassin   by  firing  before   the 


word  was  given ;  a  circumstance  which  came 
near  proving  fatal  to  you.  I  do  not  believe  the 
story  of  his  being  a  successful  rival.  If  his 
suit  had  prospered  with  x\ndrea  St.  Aubert, 
why  should  he  be  here,  and  why  wish  to  destroy 
you?  Depend  upon  it,  he  is  a  disappointed 
man ;  for  success  does  not  produce  revengeful 
feelmgs.  Look  at  the  case  of  Cogswell ;  Mari- 
anna  did  not  favor  him  so  much  as  she  did  me. 
He  perceived  that  he  was  losing  ground,  and 
that  I  was  rising  in  the  esteem  of  Marianna  in 
proportion.  You  know  the  result;  he  has 
sought  my  life  ever  since  with  as  much  zeal  as 
Saul  sought  the  life  of  David.  Now  these  two 
fellows  —  Cogswell  and  Wikoff — are  equally 
mated  ;  they  are  both  consummate  villains,  and 
it  is  our  duty  to  keep  our  eyes  open  and  not  let 
them  have  it  all  their  own  way." 

' '  I  comcide  with  you  in  much  that  you  havi 
said,"  replied  Walter. 

"It's  my  settled  conviction,"  added  Wilson, 
"  that  this  person  who  calls  himself  Wikoff,  is 
the  cause  of  all  your  misfortunes.  If  time 
proves  me  wrong,  then  I  will  give  up  all  claims 
to  being  an  alligator  from  Old  Kentuck." 


48 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


•'  You  mean  well  Captain  Wilson,"  answered 
Etliingtou,  but  he  added  with  a  faint  smile,  and 
extending  his  hand  to  the  captain,  "  we  will 
continue  the  subject  at  another  tinie." 

"  FelLx,"  said  the  latter,  when  Ethington  had 
walked  away. 

"  Here  's  dis  nigger,"  said  Felix. 

"Do  you  know  what  caused  this  fatal  mis- 
understanding between  your  ma.ster  and  Miss 
St.  Aubert?" 

"  Yes,  sare,  I  do'sen't  know,"  replied  Felix, 
gravely. 

"  I  like  your  ma.ster,  Felix,  and  wish  to  make 
him  more  happy,  if  possible.  If  you  know 
anything  about  this  affliir,  don't  be  afraid  to  tell 
me." 

"  'Twouldn't  be  safe,  massa  cap'en." 

"  Nonsense,  speak  out." 

"  He  cotched  her  walking  in  de  garden  wid 
anudder  feller,  I  b'lieve,  and  dcy  'peared 
mighty  fond  ob  each  udder,  cried  and  kissed 
when  dey  parted." 

"Well,  go  on,  Felix." 

"  Dat's  all,  massa  Kentuck  ;  couldn't  'sprcss 
myself  more  'tickerly  on  that  subjeck." 

"  So  that  caused  all  the  mischief?  " 

"  Ob  course." 

"Yes,  sare." 

"Goto  thed 1." 

"I'se  jest  a  gwine.  I'll  take  yer  compli- 
ments along.     Yah,  yah  !     Ileah,  fieak  ! 

"You're  a  great  nigger,  Felix,"  added  the 
captain,  good  naturedly.  "  You're  worth  your 
weight  in  gold." 

"  Go  it,  massa  Kentuck,  promulgate,  'spress 
y onr  pheh'nx,  heah,  heah  !  "  and  Felix  left  the 
captain,  not  a  little  flattered  by  his  ofF-hand 
though  rather  dubious  compliments. 

The  Texan  Rangers  were  encamped  but  a 
short  distance  from  San  Antonio,  and  late  on 
the  evening  of  the  following  day  Ethington 
walked  into  the  town.  As  he  passed  from 
street  to  street,  his  thoughts  recurred  to  the 
past,  more  especially  to  his  recent  adventures  in 
the  land  of  the  "  Lone  Star,"  his  various  extra- 
ordinary escapes,  and  the  kindness  which  he  had 
received   on    several   occasions  from  strangers. 


He  recollected  the  features  of  the  gentle  Mari- 
anna,  and  of  the  strange  lad,  Augustus  Henrie, 
who,  with  the  former,  had  watched  over  him 
in  hours  of  pain  and  unconsciousness. 

The  antipathy  which  he  had  felt  towards  the 
youth,  in  a  measure  subsided  before  he  had 
parted  with  him  at  Mr.  Lee's ;  but  he  was  still 
inclined  to  look  upon  him  as  a  vain,  effeminate 
lad,  who  would  never  attain  to  any  great  de- 
gree of  manliness,  and  who  was  more  fitted  by 
nature  to  the  employments  of  the  other  sex  than 
those  of  his  own. 

The  reason  of  this  will  be  more  apparent 
when  it  is  announced  that  our  hero  had  always 
entertained  a  supreme  contempt  for  effeminate 
youngsters,  and  dandyism  in  general ;  but  we 
will  not  do  him  the  injustice  to  lose  sight  of  tlie 
fact  that  Walter — despite  all  his  previous  preju- 
dices— was  really  attracted  towards  Augustus, 
and  if  ho  did  not  absolutely  like  him,  he  at 
least  pitied  what  he  considered  his  want  of 
manlier  qualities,  and  now  when  separated  from 
him,  felt  the  loss  of  his  society  sen.sibly,  much 
more  than  he  could  have  anticipated. 

While  Ethington  thus  mused,  time  flew  on 
unheeded.  The  niglit  had  been  made  plca^-^ant 
by  a  bright  moon,  but  of  a  sudden  dark  clouds 
rolled  up  into  the  .skies  and  ob.-^cured  its  beauty. 

But  Walter  was  conscious  of  no  change  in 
the  surrounding  elements;  looking  intently 
within  he  had  not  observed  the  changes  going 
on  without.  Having  no  desire  for  human  com- 
panionship, he  seated  himself  upon  a  bench  in  a 
sort  of  square  or  plaza,  near  the  centre  of  the 
town.  The  place  was  quiet  and  the  solitude 
pleased  hhn.  The  stillness  of  the  spot  and  the 
pensive  character  of  his  meditations  soon  had 
their  effect,  and  in  a  little  time  Walter  wa.s  in 
the  misty  land, of  dreams. 

He  was  awakened  at  length  by  the  di.'^chargc 
of  fire-arms,  and  loud  and  continued  .shouting. 
He  sprang  to  his  feet,  at  a  loss,  for  a  moment, 
to  account  for  what  he  heard ;  then  the  sharp 
crack  of  the  Texan  rifles  reached  his  ears,  and 
he  divined  at  once  that  the  town  had  been  at- 
tacked by  Mexican  banditti. 

The  confusion,  and  filing,  and  outcries,  rapid- 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


49 


ly  increased.  Guided  by  the  sounds,  Ethiiig- 
ton  hurried  towards  the  scene  of  tumult.  In 
leaving  the  camp  he  had  not  neglected  to  take 
his  pistols,  and  he  now  congratulated  himself 
that  he  had  done  so. 

While  he  was  dashing  up  one  of  the  principal 
streets  to  mingle  with  the  combatants,  he  heard 
shrieks  and  cries  for  assistance,  proceeding  from 
a  dwelling  which  he  was  passing.  He  paused, 
saw  lights  flashing  from  the  windows,  heard 
voices,  and  the  sound  of  rapid  footsteps  within. 

To  run  through  the  open  gate  and  enter  the 
open  door,  was  the  work  of  a  moment.  With- 
out hesitation  he  mounted  the  stairs,  still  direct- 
ed by  the  outcries,  and  the  noise  of  the  struggle 
which  was  evidently  going  on  above.  Passing 
through  a  dimly  lighted  chamber,  he  entered 
one  perfectly  dark.  As  he  crossed  the  thresh- 
old, the  light  from  the  adjoining  apartment 
fell  upon  the  figure  of  a  tall  man  bearing  a 
female  in  his  arms  ;  and  as  the  latter  struggled 
to  regain  her  liberty  and  cried  for  help,  it  fur- 
nished sufficient  proof  that  all  was  not  right. 
Ethington  therefore  coolly  knocked  the  man 
down  with  the  butt  of  a  pistol,  and  caught  the 
female  from  his  arms.  The  instant  the  aggressor 
fell  to  the  floor,  another  party  darted  from  the 
room,  and  ran  hastily  down  stairs. 

Walter  bore  his  now  nearly  unconscious  bui-- 
den  to  the  light.  He  looked  unto  her  face  ;  her 
eyes  met  his,  she  uttered  a  faint  cry  and  became 
insensible  ;  it  was  Andrea  St.  Aubert. 

"  Strange  fatality  !"  exclaimed  Walter,  gaz- 
ing fixedly  at  the  fair  object  once  so  greatly 
beloved.  "  Unhappy  chance  that  brings  us 
again  together." 

Heavy,  hurried  steps  were  now  heard  upon 
the  stairs,  and  Ridgley  dashed  into  the  chamber, 
considerably  excited,  and  judging  from  his  dis- 
ordered dress,  fresh  from  a  scuffle  of  some  kind. 
He  paused  suddenly  when  he  beheld  Ethington 
and  seemed  confounded. 

Our  hero  was  the  first  to  recover  himself. 

"  I  believe  I  was  in  time  to  be  of  some  service 

to  this  young   lady,"  he  stammered.     "What 

means  this  confusion?     What  has  happened?" 

he  asked,  still   confused   and  erabarras.sed,  and 


placing  Miss  St.  Aubert,  who  now  showed  signs 
of  returning  animation,  in  an  easy  chair. 

"  I  thank  you  in  the  name  of  Andrea,"  re- 
plied Ridgley.      "  Where  is  Rosalia  ?" 

"  I  have  seen  no  other  female,"  said  Ething- 
ton. At  that  instant  there  was  a  great  crash 
in  the  next  room.  Ridgley  caught  the  lamp 
from  the  table  and  ran  in.  The  cause  of  the 
noise  was  soon  discovered ;  the  man  whom  Wal- 
ter had  knocked  down,  had  recovered  his  senses 
and  made  his  escape  by  leaping  through  the 
window.  Rosalia  had  fainted  at  the  moment  of 
Walter's  appearance,  and  was  found  in  the 
apartment  unharmed,  thoiigh  very  much  terrified. 
She  regained  her  courage  instantly  upon  seeing 
her  fi\ther,  and  hastened  to  minister  to  Andrea. 

"  The  danger  has  passed,  I  believe,  of  what- 
ever nature  it  might  have  been,"  said  the  young 
man.  "  I  hear  the  sound  of  conflict  near  us, 
and  I  will  therefore  hasten  to  join  my  brave  com- 
panions." 

"  Oar  house  has  been  assailed  by  ruffians," 
replied  Ridgley.  ' '  You  have  rendered  me  an 
important  service,  which  I  shall  be  sure  to  re- 
member. The  object  of  this  attack  I  scarcely 
know,  for  I  have  not  yet  had  time  to  collect  my 
thoughts." 

Without  trusting  himself  to  look  again  at 
Andrea,  Ethington  descended  the  stairs.  The 
door  -was  still  open  as  he  had  found  it,  but  upon 
the  steps  lay  the  body  of  a  man,  apparently 
dead.  Walter  bent  over  him,  looked  at  the 
face,  and  felt  quite  sure  that  it  was  WikofT;  but 
wishing  to  be  quite  certain  of  his  identity,  he 
entered  the  parlor  where  a  lamp  was  burning, 
and  returning  with  it,  examined  the  features. 

He  was  correct  in  his  first  impressions ;  it 
was  indeed  WikofF.  One  hand  lay  across  hLs 
breast,  and  upon  the  fourth  finger  sparkled  a 
ring  with  uncommon  brilliancy,  as  the  rays  of 
the  lamp  fell  upon  it.  Ethington  could  not  re- 
press an  exclamation  of  surprise,  as  his  eyes 
rested  upon  the  ornament,  for  he  recognized  it  ; 
he  had  once  given  it  to  Miss  St.  Aubert.  How 
came  it  upon  the  finger  of  this  man  ?  was  the 
first  question  which  crossed  the  track  of  hi.s 
thoughts. 


THS 


50 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


Wikoff's  chest  heaved  convulsively,  and  he 
gave  signs  of  returning  life.  Walter  dashed  the 
lamp  upon  the  ground  with  a  muttered  unpre- 
cation,  and  with  a  frowning  brow  walked  hastily 
from  the  spot. 

"  Perhaps,"  he  said,  "  he  received  the  wounds 
upon  his  person  in  defence  of  Andrea ;  perhaps 
she  placed  that  ring  upon  his  finger  with  her 
own  hand."  And  the  thought  nearly  madden- 
ed him. 

It  is  a  singular  fact  that  lovers  always  look  at 
the  dark  side  of  the  picture,  and  that  which  is 
really  the  most  unreasonable,  appears  the  mo.st 
reasonable  to  their  distorted  fancies.  There 
were  other  inferences  which  Ethington  might 
have  drawn  upon  finding  WikofF  in  that  vicinity, 
badly  and  perhaps  fatally  wounded  j  but  his 
mind,  morbidly  active  in  conjuring  up  images  to 
make  himself  miserable,  was  satisfied  with  its 
first  conclusions,  and  so  made  no  cflfort  to  ex- 
plain the  matter  in  any  other  way. 

Feeling  more  wretched  and  tired  of  the  world 
than  he  had  for  a  long  time  before,  he  ha.stened 
to  the  spot  where  the  firing  and  shouting  were 
still  heard.  He  was  soon  among  the  combat- 
ants, fighting  with  all  his  accustomed  daring 
and  bravery. 

Suddenly  he  was  prostrated  by  a  blow  upon 
the  head.  He  knew  no  more  of  the  fight — he 
heard  no  longer  the  loud  ringing  voice  of  Wil.'^on, 
or  the  crack  of  the  Texan  rifles.  It  was  broad 
daylight  before  he  was  again  conscious  of  exis- 
tence. He  found  himself  lying  on  the  ground, 
bound  hand  and  foot.  Around  him  lay  several 
Mexicans  wrapped  in  their  blankets,  sleeping. 
He  attempted  to  arise  to  a  sitting  posture,  but 
could  not.  The  bands  upon  his  wrists  gave 
him  intense  pain,  and  he  felt  very  faint  and 
miserable.  He  reconnoitered  the  spot  as  well  as 
he  could  in  a  horizontal  position,  and  perceived 
that  they  v/ere  sui-rounded  on  all  sides  by  a  dense 
chapparel.  At  a  short  distance  was  a  tent, 
and  judging  by  the  sounds  that  occasionally 
came  from  it,  Ethington  concluded  that  it  con- 
tained wounded  men. 


Though  suffer mg  much  pain,  our  hero  was 
forced  to  lie  unnoticed  for  two  hours,  when  a 
man  came  from  the  tent  and  approached  him. 
He  was  not  a  little  astonished  at  seeing  the  in- 
dividual who  now  stood  beside  him,  for  in  him 
he  recognized  Cogswell,  the  lover  of  Marianna 
Lee.  He  was  industriously  smoking  a  cigariUo, 
and  contemplated  the  prostrate  figure  of  our 
hero  with  the  calmest  satisfaction. 

Ethington  asked  him  to  loosen  the  cords  a 
little,  as  his  limbs  were  now  considerably  swol- 
len ;  but  Cogswell  declined  to  comply  with  this 
reasonable  request,  assuring  him  that  if  he  were 
to  do  anything  in  the  premises,  he  should  make 
his  bands  tighter. 

"  Miserable  renegade  I"  exclaimed  Ething- 
ton, indignantly.  "  I  should  have  known  that 
a  creature  who  will  fight  against  his  country- 
men, will  not  show  common  humanity  towards 
a  fellow-being," 

"  Here  comes  a  gentleman  who  will  doubtleea 
entertain  you  more  agreeably  than  I  can,"  re- 
plied Cogswell,  with  a  malicious  sneer. 

Ethington  turned  his  eyes  with  difiiculty  to- 
wards the  person  indicated,  and  saw  his  antago- 
nist in  the  late  duel  at  San  Jacinto.  His  head 
was  bound  up  with  a  handkerchief,  and  he  was 
deadly  pale  from  loss  of  blood. 

"  Well,  sir,  you  are  not  with  the  Rangers 
now !"  said  Wikoff. 

"It  is  quite  unnecessary  to  inform  me  of  that 
fact,"  replied  Ethington.  "It  is  very  evident 
that  I  am  not  among  men  of  honor." 

"  Did  you  ever  see  this  ring  before?"  asked 
Wikoff,  holding  up  his  finger. 

"  I  saw  you  lying  senseless  upon  the  ground 
last  night,"  retorted  Walter.  "  You  were  in 
my  power,  but  I  scorned  to  take  advantage  of 
your  helpless  condition." 

"  You  were  very  humane,"  rejoined  Wikoff, 
changing  color.  "  But  what  do  you  say  of  this 
ringV" 

' '  Perhaps  you  purloined  it ;  I  do  not  know  ; 
a  man  without  honor  is  capable  of  any  meanness, 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


51 


If  Miss  St.  Aubert  bestowed  it  upon  you,  she 
was  certainly  very  unfortunate  in  the  choice  of 
a  friend.  But  you  have  yet  to  explain  the 
cause  of  being  found  insensible  upon  the  door 
steps  of  the  house  where  the  lady  resides." 

"  That  has  little  to  do  with  our  present  busi- 
ness. Suffice  it  that  you  have  always  been  in 
my  way,  and  were  so  last  night ;  but  it  shall 
soon  be  beyond  your  power  to  mar  my  plans  or 
baffle  my  purposes.  Look  up  at  the  sun ;  it 
never  shone  more  brilliantly ;  gaze  your  fill  and 
say  'farewell;"  for  you  will  never  see  it  rise 
again." 

"  Dare  you  then  lift  your  hand  against  my 
life?" 

"The  'Texan  Bravo'  shrinks  from  the  or- 
deal !  I  thought  it  was  death  that  he  was  seek- 
ing?" 

"  I  fear  not  death,  when  met  honorably  ;  but 
I  never  sought  it  at  the  hands  of  a  villain  who 
would  make  my  demise  the  means  of  carrying 
out  his  nefarious  schemes,  and  bringing  down 
ruin  upon  others.  I  can  die  like  a  man ;  but 
remember  that  the  Texan  rifles  will  avenge  my 
death.  Perhaps  you  never  saw  one  of  the  Ran- 
gers look  throxigh  the  double  sights  V 

WikofF  grew  a  shade  paler,  and  Cogswell 
shrugged  his  shoulders  significantly  at  the  men- 
tion of  the  "  double  sights."  Both  knew  the 
fatal  significance  of  the  words,  for  the  sharp 
shooting  of  the  Rangers  was  proverbial ;  and  it 
is  a  well  known  fact  that  great  numbers  of  the 
enemy  who  were  left  on  the  field  in  various  bat- 
tles were  shot  through  the  head.* 

WikofF  and  Cogswell  now  walked  away  to- 
gether, while  one  of  the  Mexicans,  more  humane 
than  they,  loosened  the  cords  about  his  limbs, 
which  gave  him   great  relief.     Presently  there 

*  General  Green,  in  hia  history  of  the  Mier  expedi- 
tion, informs  us  that  after  the  battle  of  Mier  ho  visited 
the  building  where  the  wounded  of  the  enemy  were 
under  surgical  treatment.  He  says  :  "  One  hundred 
and  thirty-six  of  the  enemy's  wounded  were  stretched 
out  on  the  floor,  many  of  whom  had  been  shot  in  the 
head,  and  their  brains  had  oozed  out,  from  the  size  of 
a  marble  to  that  of  one's  list.  It  was  a  horrible  sight." 


was  considerable  bustle  in  the  camp.  The  sol- 
diers (if  we  may  thus  call  them)  were  got  under 
arms  by  their  leader,  the  identical  Captain  Gar- 
cia, who  had  led  an  attack  against  Ethington 
and  his  two  friends  dn  the  Colorado. 

Our  hero's  feet  were  now  set  at  liberty,  and 
he  was  marched  out  in  front  of  the  marshalled 
band  by  a  file  of  men.  Ethington  understood 
these  preparations  well ;  it  was  evident  that  he 
was  about  to  be  shot,  and  he  endeavored  to  com- 
pose his  mind,  and  fix  his  last  earthly  thoughts 
on  the  only  Being  who  could  now  assist  and  sus- 
tain him. 

In  the  brief  space  that  was  allowed  him  for 
meditation,  he  reflected  upon  the  stormy  events 
that  had  been  crowded  into  his  life  since  he  had 
left  his  native  State,  a  reckless  and  hopeless 
man.  As  he  could  discern  in  the  portents  of 
the  future  no  brightening  of  the  sun  of  his  des- 
tiny, he  resigned  himself  to  his  fate  without  a 
murmur.  Although  existence  had  no  charms 
for  him,  and  he  had  often  sought  death,  yet  he 
could  not  but  feel  and  confess  to  himself  that  he 
was  not  wholly  prepared  for  the  great  change 
which  awaited  him. 

The  near  prospect  of  dissolution  brought 
with  it  clearer  views  of  man  and  his  duties.  He 
began  to  doubt  whether  misanthropy  was  not  a 
crime  in  the  siglit  of  God,  and  if  the  last  few 
months  of  his  life  had  not  been  sinful  in  the  ex- 
treme. But  there  was  now  little  opportunity  to 
discuss  such  questions ;  he  stood  face  to  face 
with  those  selected  to  be  his  executioners — a 
band  of  lawless  and  savage-looking  fellows,  ap- 
parently dead  to  all  the  finer  susceptibilities  of 
human  nature. 

A  man  now  came  forward  with  a  handker- 
chief to  bandage  his  eyes,  but  Ethington  shook 
his  head,  saying  proudly  : 

"  I  have  often  faced  death,  and  I  am  not 
afraid  to  face  it  once  more.  It  ia  the  coward 
soul  alone  that  shrinks  from  beholding  the  ter 
rors  of  death." 

"  Proud  to  the  last,"  murmured  Wikoff,  who 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


hud  approachetl  aud  stood  contemplating  our 
hero  with  a  triumphant  expression. 

"  And  wore  you  so  presumptuous  as  to  imag- 
ine for  a  moment  that  you  would  see  my  spirit 
unbend,  and  my  manliness  give  wayV"  exclaim- 
ed Walter,  wlio  overheard  the  remark.  "  I 
know  that  such  was  your  hope  and  expectation, 
but  both  were  vain.  I  sliall  die  as  I  have  lived — 
a  man.     I  am  ready." 

The  file  of  men  retreated  a  few  paces,  and 
left  Ethington  alone — a  mark  for  the  cscopetas 
of  a  cowardly  foe.  He  drew  himself  up  and 
looked  at  them  without  flinching.     Cogswell  re- 


appeared and  spoke  a  few  words  to  Wikriff,  and 
the  latter  conversed  with  Garcia  in  a  low  voice. 

The  conversation,  debate,  or  council,  or  what- 
ever its  nature  might  have  been,  lasted  some 
time,  and  was  carried  on  with  much  warmth. 

The  sun  was  high  in  the  heavens,  and  shone 
down  upon  the  parties  with  glorious  brightne.'ss. 
The  winds  brenthed  gently  among  the  flowers, 
and  dallied  with  the  undulating  grass  that  grew 
upon  the  plateau.  But  in  the  air,  and  among 
the  flowers,  and  the  grass,  and  everything  that 
whispered  of  life  and  beauty,  th.ore  was  a  savor 
of  death. 


CEAPTER  X. 


COGSWELL    AND    MARIANNA— A    LOTE     SCENK. 


E  will  now  return  to  INIarianna,  whom 
we  shall  find  comfortably  domiciled  at 
San  Antonio  de  Bexar,  Mr.  Lee  having  dispos- 
ed of  his  property  at  San  Jacinto,  and  removed 
to  a  small  estate  which  he  owned  at  the  place 
we  have  mentioned.  Marianna  rejoiced  at  this 
change  of  residence  for  several  reasons  ;  and  one 
of  the  most  prominent  was,  that  she  hoped  to 
escape  the  society  of  Cogswell,  whom  she  dis- 
liked and  feared. 

It  was  the  evening  of  the  day  upon  which 
"SYikofFand  Cogswell  met  for  the  first  time. 
Mai-ianna  Lee  was  the  sole  occupant  of  a  small 
apartment  fronting  upon  the  street,  while  the 
other  members  of  the  household  were  either  not 
within  doors,  or  busy  in  another  part  of  the 
house. 

There  was  a  heavy  tread  upon  the  steps,  and 
soon  a  gentle  knock  upon  the  door.  Marianna 
hastened  to  answer  the  summons,  and  met  Cogs- 
well upon  the  threshold.  The  blood  forsook 
her  cheeks,  her  heart  beat  faster,  and  it  was 
with  difficulty  that  she  could  restrain  her  emo- 
tions.    Cogswell  entered  with  the  determined 


air  of  one  who  is  resolved  upon  some  important 
measure,  and  does  not  mean  to  falter  in  its  exe- 
cution. 

His  features  never  looked  more  repulsive  and 
forbidding  to  Marianna,  and  she  heartily  wished 
the  interview  at  an  end.  She  was  about  to  call 
her  mother,  when  her  quondam  lover  requested 
her  to  be  seated  and  hear  what  he  had  to  com- 
municate. She  reluctantly  complied,  and  Cogs- 
well mustered  all  his  eloquence  and  ingenuity  to 
make  a  final  impression  upon  her  heart.  Vain 
attempt !  useless  expenditure  of  words  ! 

"  You  have  long  known.  Miss  Lee,"  he  be- 
gan, "  that  I  have  ventured  to  raise  my  thoughts 
to  you,  and  to  come  to  the  point  at  once,  that  I 
entertain  a  sincere  affection  for  you.  I  have 
now  called  to  hear,  from  your  own  lips,  the  de- 
cision of  my  fate.  To  be  brief  and  plaui — for  I 
am  a  man  of  few  words — will  you  become  Mrs. 
Cogswell?" 

"  To  be  brief  and  plain,  I  decline,"  replied 
Marianna,  firmly. 

"  May  I  ask  your  reasons?"  continued  Coga- 
well,  with  assumed  caljnne83.  ,„  . 


54 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


"There  are  many,  Mr.  Cogswell — I  need  not 
enumerate  them — spare  me  that  task,  suffice  it 
that  there  is  a  want  of  congeniality  of  dis- 
position and  temperament,"  said  Marianna,  in  as 
gentle  a  manner  as  possible. 

"  Could  not  that  objection  be  overcome — be 
melted  away  by  time?" 

"I  think  not;  lean  extend  no  .such  hope; 
it  were  wrong  to  do  so." 

"  I  can  well  guess  the  cause,"  said  Cogswell, 
with  much  bitterness.  "It  is  because  I  have 
a  rival.  Captain  Wilson  has  stolen  away  the 
regard  which  you  once  entertained  for  me  ;  and 
your  blushes  are  my  witnesses  that  I  speak  the 
truth." 

"The  person  you  have  named  never  injured 
you  in  my  estimation,''  returned  Marianna, 
with  some  a.sperity  of  manner.  "  I  regret  to  be 
forced  to  tell  you  that  I  never  entertained  any 
deeper  sentiments  of  friendship  for  you  than  I 
now  do." 

"And  that  is  saying  but  little,  I  suppose  I" 
he  retorted,  giving  his  fair  auditor  a  searching 
glance. 

"  You  are  right,  sir.  There  is  no  reciprocity 
between  us.  I  should  not  make  clioice  6f  one 
like  you  for  a  friend,  much  less  for  a  lover.  Do 
not  be  offended  ;  you  have  wrung  this  confession 
from  me.  Learn  wisdom  ;  when  a  maiden  says 
'  nay,'  do  not  press  her  fartlier,  that  yUn  may 
enjoy  some  portion  of  her  respect,  if  not  her 
love.  This  subject,  I  now  hope,  is  put  to  rest 
forever,  and  you  will  do  me  a  kindness  never  to 
allude  to  it  again,  in  any  manner." 

"You  deceive  yourself.  Miss  Lee;  you  have 
mistaken  my  character ;  your  perversity  does 
not  discourage  me.  It  is  time  that  you  should 
know  me  better  ;  if  you  cannot  love  me,  I  will 
at  least  teach  you  to  fear  me.  I  have  a  power 
over  you  and  your  lover  which  you  do  not 
dream  of." 

"  And  do  you  threaten  those  who  find  it  im- 
possible to  love  you?''  exclaimed  Marianna, 
with  dignity. 

"I  was  saying  that  I  liad  power  over  your 
fortunes  which  you  do  not  know  of,  or  coinpre- 
>nd,"  he  added,  knitting  his  brows. 


"  And  if  you  have  this  power  you  speak  of, 
will  you  use  it  against  a  youthful  maiden  ?" 

"  I  will !  I  call  heaven  and  earth  to  witness 
that  I  will  !"  cried  Cogswell,  angrily.  "  You 
flatter  yourself,  like  others,  that  you  are  safe 
here ;  that  the  Texan  Rangers  can  defend  the 
place  against  the  attacks  of  the  enemy." 

''Banditti,  you  should  have  said,"  interrupt- 
ed Marianna. 

"  Call  them  what  you  will.  I  care  not ;  the 
fact  stands  the  same.  The  destruction  of  San 
Antonio  de  Bexar  is  decided  ujwn  ;  before 
many  days  it  will  be  a  heap  of  steaming  ruins." 

"  If  anything  were  wanting,"  retorted  Marian- 
na, with  burning  cheeks  and  flashing  eyes,  "  to 
make  me  regard  you  with  deeper  loathing  and 
contempt,  it  was  what  you  have  now  uttered. 
Above  all  living  things  I   despise  a  traitor  I" 

"That  is  bitter  language,"  said  Cogswell, 
biting  his  lips. 

"  Let  us  part  now;  relieve  me  of  your  pres- 
ence, I  beg  of  you,"  responded  the  maiden, 
rising. 

"  Hear  me  out." 

"  No,  I  had  rather  see  yon  out.^' 

"  You  are  witty  at  my  expense  ;  but  my  turn 
will  come  anon.  Who  will  be  your  protector 
when  Bexar  is  \STapped  in  flames,  and  its  streets 
are  full  of  blood-thirsty  men,  to  pillage  and 
destroy?" 

"  I  pray  Heaven  I  may  not  be  so  much  de- 
serted by  God  as  to  accept  protection  from  a 
traitor.  I  would  sooner  share  the  fate  of  the 
Alamo,"  said  Marianna,  with  spirit. 

"  Listen  !  Just  beyond  the  Rio  Grande  is  a 
beautiful  rancho,  of  which  I  am  to  be  ma.ster. 
You  have  only  to  say  a  word  to  be  its  mistres.s, 
and  San  Antonio  shall  not  be  harmed.  And 
more  than  this — Wilson's  life  shall  he  spared." 

"  Go,  sir  !  I  will  make  no  terms.  If  all 
your  allies  are  like  yourself,  San/Antonio  will 
never  be  conquered.  As  for  Captain  Wilson, 
if  he  cannot  defend  himself  alid  maintain  his 
position,  it  will  be  because  he  has  forgotten  San 
Jacinto." 

"  I  perceive  that  you  love  to  talk  of  San  Ja- 
cinto ;  it  gives  you   pleasure.     But   remember 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


55 


my  words — the  time  draws  near — San  Antonio 
will  burn — will  become  a  heap  of  ashes — and 
the  Rangei-s  shall  be  swept  away  with  the  besom 
of  destruction.  Reflect  one  instant ;  will  you 
prevent  this  awful  calamity  7" 

"  Shall  I  liglit  you  out,  or  will  you  force  me 
to  speak  to  my  father?'' 

Cogswell  trembled  with  rage,  and  with  a  mut- 
tered curse  and  a  frowning  brow,  prepared  to 
depart.  He  paused  a  moment  on  the  steps, 
and  darting  a  threatening  look  at  Miirianna, 
exclaimed : 

"  You  shall  regret  this  insult ;  my  words  are 
prophetic.  I  will  make  them  true.  Bexar  shall 
burn,  and — " 

Marianna  closed  the  door  and  did  not  hear  the 
conclusion  of  the  sentence,  though  she  could 
well  guess  its  import.  She  retired  to  her  cham- 
ber, feeling  truly  wretched,  and  gave  way  to  her 
emotions  without  restraint.  That  she  feared 
Cogswell,  she  could  not  deny  ;  and  his  threats 
had  terrified  her  greatly,  in  addition  to  the  re- 
pugnance she  had  always  felt  towards  him. 
*  *  *  * 

Soon  after  Walter  Ethington's  departure  from 
camp.  Captain  Wilson  gave  orders  to  Liexiten- 
ant  Cameron  (a  tried  officer  and  soldier  who 
had  shared  the  dangers  of  various  battles)  to 
double  the  guard  and  take  other  precautions,  as 
he  had  reason  to  believe  that  an  attack  upon  the 
town  was  meditated  by  a  band  of  the  enemy  that 
had  been  seen  upon  the  west  bank  of  the  Nueces. 
Having  given  the  lieutenant  such  instructions  as 
he  thought  necessary,  he  called  Felix,  and  pro- 
ceeded towards  San  Antonio. 

"Now,  Felix,"  said  Wilson. 

"  Open  your  ears  and  hear  what  I  am  going 
to  say ,"  added  the  captain. 

'■'■  Locoynote  yer  sentements — 'luminate  de 
natur  ob  de  subjeck,"  responded  Felix. 

' '  You  see  I  am  going  into  the  toAvn ": ' ' 

"  I  know  what  for,  massa?" 

"  Name  it,  you  colored  specimen." 

"He,  he  !  keep  cool,  massa  Kentuck  ;  don't 
go  for  to  bein'  hard  on  dis  nigger  feller  ;  you're 
a  gwine  up  to  see  dat  harnsum  white  gal ;  heah, 
heahl" 


"  Right,  Felix,  for  once  in  your  life." 
"Don't   blame  ye,  massa ;  I  used  to  go   to 
see  a  white  gal  once." 

"  You-r 

"  Ob  course." 

"  Come,  Felix,  be  careful." 

"  Yes,  sare." 

"  Do  you  sec  this  rifle?" 

"  Does  I  see  dat  rifle?" 

"Yes." 

"  Ob  course  I  does." 

"Well,  take  it,  and  I  will  tell  you  what  I 
want  you  to  do  with  it." 

"  Splanify  de  natur  ob  de  case,  massa 
cap'en." 

■Wilson  walked  on  a  little  while  in  silence, 
while  Felix  followed  close  at  his  heels. 

"  Now,"  he  resumed,  stopping  just  witliin  the 
town,  "  I  want  you  to  stand  here  with  the  rifle, 
and  if  you  hear  any  disturbance,  or  see  anything 
that  looks  like  an  attack  from  the  enemy,  fire, 
and  then  run  to  the  camp  as  fast  as  you  can, 
and  turn  out  the  Rangers." 

"  Yes,  sare.  I'll  give  ye  a  tall  speciment  ob 
runnin' ;  I'se  good  at  dat." 

"  I've  no  doubt  but  you  will  do  the  running 
part  well ;  but  you  must  tell  Lieutenant  Came- 
ron what  you  have  seen  as  soon  as  you  reach 
camp." 

"Well,  what'll  dat  be  ?" 

"Why,  you  rascal !  your  skull  wants  rasp- 
ing down.  How  should  I  know  what  you  will 
see  or  hear  ?  It  may  be  one  thing,  or  it  may 
be  another,  and  perhaps  just  nothing  at  all." 

"Dat  'luminates  de  cocoe  ob  dis  nigger;  I 
magnify's  de  'hole  at  a  glance.  But  wouldn't 
it  be  safer  not  to  fire  till  I  get  to  de  camp?" 

"  Snappin'  turtles,  and  Kentucky  alligators  I" 
cried  the  captain  ;  "  your  head  is  bullet  proof. 
It  might  be  safer  for  you,  but  not  for  me." 

"  You  can't  be  safe  wid  dat  Miss  Marianna, 
no  how ;  dem  bright  eyes  ob  hers  will  do  de 
bisness  in  less  dan  no  time,  if  not  sooner.  Dare's 
a  great  deal  ob  de  magnifice)d  fluid  in  dem  top 
luminaries .     Yah ,  yah  ! ' ' 

With  a  good-natured  laugh  the  honest  Ken- 
tuckian  repeated  his  injunctions  and  walked  on  ; 


56 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


in  a  few  minutes  he  found  himself  blushing  be- 
neath the  battery  of  Marianna's  eyes.  Before 
leaving  camp,  he  had  deliberately  resolved  to 
speak  to  her  in  relation  to  the  subject  nearest 
his  heart,  but  now  that  he  was  foce  to  face  witli 
her,  he  was  unable  to  say  a  word  regarding  the 
matter  uppermost  in  his  mmd. 

Marianna  received  him  with  uncommon  kind- 
ness, and  after  some  preliminary  remarks  and 
many  blushes,  she  proceeded  to  relate  what  had 
passed  between  Cogswell  and  herself ;  repeating 
in  detail,  so  far  as  she  could  recollect,  all  he  had 
threatened  concerning  the  destruction  of  Bexar. 
Captain  Wilson  listened  with  breathless  at- 
tention and  rising  indignation. 

"  It  appears,  then,"  said  the  latter,  "that 
he  has  joined  the  band  of  Mexican  outlaws  that 
is  hovering  about  the  Nueces  river.  His  threats 
are  by  no  means  idle,  and  no  doubt  he  intends 
to  do  all  he  has  spoken  of.  I  thank  you  sin- 
cerely for  the  confidence  you  have  reposed  in 
me,  and  it  affords  me  inexpressible  pleasure  to 
have  the  means  of  protecting  you  in  my  power  ; 
also  to  feel  assured  that  you  have  no — no — " 
"No  what?"  asked  Marilinna,  innocently. 
"  No  friendship  for  a  man  capable  of  such 
baseness,"  he  added,  greatly  embarrassed. 

"I  always  feared  him,  and  instinctively 
shrank  from  him.  But  tell  me  if  you  really 
think  Bexar  in  danger  ?" 

"Bexar  can  never  betaken,"  said  the  cap- 
tain, earnestly,  "  whil(^  half  a  dozen  Texan 
Rangers  live  to  'look  through  the  double 
sights.'*  Rest  assured  that  when  Cogswell 
marshalls  his  forces  about  the  dwelling  wliose 
roof  covers  Marianna  Lee,  that  we  shall  be 
near." 

The  captain  spoke  enthusiastically,  and  was 
repaid  by  a  timid  yet  grateful  look  from  the 
maiden. 

' '  Our  foes  are  cowards, "  he  resumed.  ' '  They 
turn  pale  when  they  hear  the  report  of  a  Texan 
rifle.     They  know  that  we  are  devoid  of  fear. 


*  The  most  important  of  all  manoeuvres  -vve  un- 
derstand better  than  any  nation  on  the  f;ioe  of  the 
earth,  and  that  is  to  look  through  the  double  sights 
with  a  steady  arm. —  Gen.  Green. 


and  can  fight  better  than  any  other  foe  they 
ever  faced.  Let  Cogswell  presume  to  cross  this 
threshold,  no  matter  if  he  be  followed  by  an 
hundred  of  his  Mexican  allies,  he  shall  perish 
ignobly,  or  retire  baffled,  and  burning  with 
mortification." 

Your  bold  words  re-assure  me,"  said 
Marianna. 

"  If  I  dared,"  added  Wilson,  desperately, 
"  to  say  what — what — " 

"  You  have  said  what  twice,  captain,"  re- 
marked Marianna,  demurely.  "Shall  I  call 
brother  James?" 

"No — yes — by  all  means — certainly  not," 
stammered  the  captain,  dreadfully  embarrassed, 
and  an  awkward  silence  ensued. 

"  I  had  thought,''  resumed  Wilson  at  length, 
and  then  quite  broke  down ;  and  Marianna  was 
so  much  confused  herself,  that  she  lost  her 
presence  of  mind  and  could  not  say  a  word. 

The  captain  choked  and  went  on  again. 

"  I  can  face  an  enemy,''  he  said,  and  stuck 
again. 

"  Certainly,"  murmured  Marianna,  wlio  now 
really  felt  called  upon  to  say  something. 

"  I  can  face  an  enemy,  but  find  it  impossible 
to  say — that  is,  to  express,  what  I  would  like  to 
on  all  occasions,"  added  AVilson,  with  an  effort 
such  a.s  a  drowning  man  makes  to  catch  at  a 
straw.  < 

Marianna  was  now  trembling  and  blushing 
very  much,  and  still  trying  to  look  perfectly 
unmoved  and  compo.sed. 

"  I  thought  James  would  return  before  this 
time,"  she  managed  to  articulate. 

"Marianna — "  continued  the  captain. 

"les — "  said  the  maiden. 

"Did  you  say  yesV  he  added,  wiping  the 
cold  perspiration  from  his  forehead. 

"Yes,"  said  Marianna. 

"  Is  it  possible  that  I  am  so  happy  as  to 
be— " 

"What?"  asked  the  maiden,  dropping  her 
embroidery  and  scarcely  knowing  wlierc  she 
was,  or  who  she  was. 

"  Alligatoi-s  and  Kentucky  bosses?"  ex- 
claimed Wilson,  frantically.  "I'm  a  blunder- 
ing schoolboy.    The  fact  is,  I  love  you." 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


57 


"  Dear  me  !"  said  Marianna,  striving  to  hide 
.her  confusion. 

"Yes,  dear  you,''''  answered  the  captain, 
turning  from  red  to  pale,  and  from  pale  to  red 
in  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time,  and  taking 
her  hand  very  cautiously  and  respectfully. 

Marianna  burst  into  tears,  and  felt  that  her 
heai't  was  beating  very  ftist,  and  that  her  cheeks 
must  be  dreadfully  crimsoned,  especially  after 
the  captain  was  so  bold  as  to  draw  her  towai-ds 

him,  and ,  but  for   her   sake   we  will   not 

finish  the  sentence. 

The  "ice,"  as  the  saying  is,  was  now  "  bro- 
ken," and  a  mutual  understanding  seemed  to  be 
speedily  brought  about.  If  Marianna  trembled 
and  wept,  it  was  not  because  she  was  unhappy ; 
while  the  captain  was  filled  with  wonder  at  the 
progress  he  had  made,  and  was  ready  to  believe 
that  he  was  at  camp  asleep  and  dreaming  pro- 
foundly. He  had  just  begun  to  think  there  was 
some  foundation  in  his  dreams,  when  Mr.  Lee 
and  James  appeared ;  a  circumstance,  which, 
however  agreeable  it  might  have  been  at  any 
other  time,  certainly  did  not  wholly  harmonize 
with  his  feelings  now. 

Beside,  his  extreme  modesty  and  ba.shfulness 
left  him  still  in  doubt  as  to  the  state  of  Marian- 
na's  affections.  What  would  have  seemed  am- 
ply sufficient  to  a  more  experienced  man  in  love 
matters,  appeared  enigmatical  and  of  dubious 
meaning  to  him  ;  though  on  the  whole  he  felt 
very  well  satisfied  that  he  was  getting  along 
so  finely ;  and  we  presume  the  discerning 
reader  is  pretty  much  of  the  same  opinion. 

Other  subjects  were  now  discussed  by  the 
new-comers,  and  the  threats  which  Cogswell  had 
made  against  the  peace  and  safety  of  San  Anto- 
nio de  Bexar  was  fully  talked  over.  By  this 
time  the  captain  had  forgotten  Felix,  and  the 
solitary  vigil  he  was  keeping.  The  moments 
winged  themselves  rapidly  away,  and  the  small 
hours  of  the  night  approached. 

Suddenly  there  was  the  crack  of  a  rifle  that 
reverberated  sharply  from  street  to  street ;  and 
brought  the  captain  to  his  feet,  as  though  he 
had  received  a  powerful  shock  from  a  galvanic 
battery. 


"  Bring  out  your  weapons!"  he  exclaimed; 
"  there  is  danger  near ;  perhaps  the  town  is 
attacked." 

IMarianna's  cheek  grew  pale,  and  she  thought 
of  Cogswell's  threats.  The  captain's  trepida- 
tions vanished  at  once.  The  sound  of  the  rifle 
and  the  prospect  of  a  fight,  aroused  all  his  war- 
like blood  and  quickened  his  energies.  He 
could  now  speak  firmly  and  calmly,  and  express 
his  wishes  without  difficulty.  The  bright  eye 
of  a  maiden  might  abash  him,  but  from  the  eye 
of  an  enemy  he  never  shrank. 

"Hark!"  he  exclaimed.  "I  hear  the 
tread  of  armed  men  ;  they  approach  the  house. 
Hand  me  out  one  of  those  rifles.  Miss  Lee,  do 
not  fear — keep  out  of  the  range  of  the  windows  ; 
extinguish  the  lights. ' ' 

Wilson  stepped  to  the  window  the  moment 
the  lights  were  extinguished,  and  looked  out. 
The  street  in  front  was  full  of  men. 

The  captain  fell  back  and  spoke  to  his  two 
companions  in  whispers.  "There  are  men  in 
front  of  the  house  ;  they  are  preparing  to  enter  ; 
be  ready  to  give  them  a  volley.  Marianna  and 
her  mother  had  better  retire  to  a  situation  less 


They  now  heard  the  gate,  which  gave  access 
to  the  little  yard  in  front,  opened  softly.  They 
were  obviously  meditating  a  surprise. 

Yovmg  Lee  was  no  longer  able  to  curb  his 
curiosity,  and  followed  Wilson's  example  of  re- 
connoitering  from  the  window.  He  laid  his 
hand  nervously  upon  the  captain's  arm,  saying 
in  a  voice  noti,^bove  his  breath  : 

"I  see  a  ^-ure  that  resembles  Cogswell. 
And  look !  thd^e  with  him  are  Mexicans.  I 
know  them  by  t^eir  jaunty  rig,  an  m\^\\  colors, 
if  by  no  other  means.  Cogswell  is  disposed  to 
keep  rather  in  the  back  ground,  and  put  his 
fellows  forward." 

"  He's  a  coward,"  said  Wilson. 

"  Do  you  know  what  I  think  he's  here  for, 
with  those  ugly  chaps  ■?" 

"I  don't,"  replied  the  captain. 

' '  I  will  tell  you ;  'tis  to  carry  off  3Lirian- 
na." 

"  Do  you  think  he  will  doit?"  asked  the 
ranger,  significantly. 


58 


THE  TEXAN  BRAYO. 


"If  he  does,  he'll  have  to  carry  off  several 
of  us,  or  settle  up  our  earthly  accounts  for  us," 
answered  young  Lee,  firmly. 

"Can  you  see  him  now?"  whispered  the 
captain,  looking  anxiously  forth  in  the  dark. 

"  I  can't  ;  he  has  stepped  back.  What  does 
this  delay  mean,  I  wonder?" 

"  Surrounding  the  house,  most  likely.  Lis- 
ten !  they  are  trying  the  door." 

The  door  wiis  shaken  gently  at  first,  and 
more  violently  anon,  by  those  without.  The 
parties  within  waited  long  enough  for  these  pre- 
parations to  assume  form  sufficiently  offensive 
to  warrant  them  in  acting  on  the  defensive, 
when  Wilson  urged  the  projiriety  of  fii'ing  upon 
them.  His  companions  were  not  averse  to  this 
proposition,  for  James  had  been  anxioxis  to  look 
throng'h  the  sights  for  the  last  five  minutes. 

"  You  see  a  cluster  of  fellows  there  by  the 
gate  V"  said  the  ranger. 

"  Yes,"  said  Lee,  "  and  we  will  thin  it 
out." 

"  A  fine  chance  for  a  s-hot,"  continued  Wil- 
son ;  '-let  us  improve  it." 

The  moon  whose  light  had  been  hitherto 
deeply  obscured  by  clouds,  now  shed  a  momen- 
tary gleam  upon  the  SAvarthy  fjices  of  the  group, 
revealing  dimly  their  outlines.  They  stood, 
carelessly  leaning  upon  their  cscopetas,  as  if 
waiting  some  signal  from  their  companions  at 
the  door,  not  dreaming  that  their  presence  was 
suspected  by  the  inmates. 

"Give  them  your  lead'''  wliispered  the 
ranger. 

The  report  of  three  rifles  breaking  suddenly 
upon  the  stillness  of  the  night,  and  upon  the 
unsuspecting  ears  of  those  without,  gave  a  start- 
ling indication  that  they  were  discovered. 

A  sharp  cry  of  "jiain  was  heard,  a  few  half- 
uttered  exclamations  and  curses,  and  when  the 
smoke  had  cleared  away,  not  h  Mexican  was  to 
be  seen  ;  but  very  soon  there  was  a  shower  of 
balls  against  the  house,  perforating  the  walls, 
and  shivering  the  glass,    doing  no  other  injury. 

It  was  in  vain  that  Wilson  strained  his  eyes 
to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  figure  of  Cogswell ;  he 
took  good  care  not  to  expose  his  person. 


There  was  an  interval  of  silence,  and  a  sus- 
pension of  offensive  operations  on  the  part  of  the 
belligerents  ;  they  were  doubtless  holding  a  con- 
sultation. But  the  temporary  calm  was  of  short 
duration  ;  a  general  attack  upon  the  dwelling 
speedily  followed,  and  it  was  very  certain  that 
those  within  could  not  long  defend  it  when  there 
was  such  a  disparity  of  numbers. 

Doors,  windows,  and  every  assailable  part  was 
assailed  simultaneously.  Lee  and  his  compan- 
ions fought  with  heroic  courage  ;  they  passed 
from  window  to  window,  dashing  back  their 
enemies,  and  putting  forth  efforts  that  seemed 
well  nigh  above  human  capacity. 

Wilson  thought  of  Marianna,  and  as  he  be- 
held the  foe  fast  gaining  ground,  the  thought 
was  fraught  with  unspeakable  agony.  She 
would  umjuestionably  be  torn  from  him,  and 
UTevocably  lost  to  him  at  the  very  crisis  when  he 
was  sure  that  he  had  some  share  in  her  affec- 
tions. 

In  every  assailant  he  iioped  tu  meet  Cogswell ; 
and  grown  desperate  at  length,  he  loudly  called 
on  him  and  dared  him  to  an  encounter ;  but 
there  was  no  response,  and  Wilson  cursed  his 
cowardice. 

The  enemy  were  pouring  in  at  the  window, 
and  for  tlie  first  time  the  bold  ranger  experienced 
a  feeling  of  despair.  He  thought  of  Cameron, 
and  would  have  given  his  right  hand  to  hav(j 
heard  the  steady  steps  of  the  Texan  Eangers. 

"  Wliere  are  my  brave  fellows  !"  he  exclaim- 
ed. "What  can  keep  them  away  so  long?" 
At  that  critical  juncture,  to  render  the  scene 
more  deploraljle,  Marianna  and  her  mother 
rushed  into  the  apartment  closely  pursued. 

The  ranger  threw  his  arm  about  Marianna, 
and  with  his  good  sword  defended  her  bravely, 
making  his  own  fearless  bosom  a  bulwark  for 
her  defenceless  head.  The  hand  that  had  felt 
weary  but  a  moment  before,  was  endowed  with 
double  energy  ;  for  the  gentle  being  whom  he 
now  pressed  to  his  heart  had  restoreil  all  his 
strength,  and  fired  his  darmg  soul  with  uncoii- 
querable  determination. 

"  We  are  lost  I"  cried  Lee.  •but  we  mil 
perish  doing  our  duty." 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


59 


"Yes,  we  will  all  die  together,"  said  Mrs. 
Lee.  "  Our  separation  will  be  momentary,  our 
re-union  speedy." 

"  Yield  !"  cried  a  voice  from  the  middle  of 
the  assailants;  "yield,  and  we  will  spare  your 
lives." 

"  'Tis  Cogswell !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Lee. 

"  No,  villain  I  we  will  fight  it  out,"  replied 
Lee.  "We  will  not  yield  our  defenceless 
women  to  you ;  they  prefer  to  die  honorably 
with  us." 

"Desist!"  shouted  Cogswell  once  more; 
"  every  moment  you  endanger  the  lives  of  those 
you  love." 

"Meet  me  like  a  man,"  cried  Wilson; 
"come  forward,  and  let  us  decide  this  matter 
face  to  face." 

"Never  I"  replied  Cog.swell.  "The  affair 
iii  already  decided.  You  are  surrounded,  and 
cannot  hold  your  ground  three  minutes  longer. 
Relinquish  your  hold  upon  that  girl,  whose  life 
you  are  recklessly  exposing,  and  I  will  withdraw 
my  men." 

The  ranger's  blood  boiled  with  indignation, 
and  he  made  desperate  efforts  to  cut  his  way 
through  the  levelled  lances  to  reach  Cogswell. 

Suddenly  there  came  sounds  that  made 
every  heart  leap  and  every  ear  tingle.  The 
points  of  both  lance  and  sword  fell  to  the  ground  ; 
for  the  trumpet  tones  of  Cameron  were  ringing 
upon  the  air. 

"  Forward,  my  lads — forward — steady — 
now  give  it  to  the  swarthy  d — Is  !" 

The  deadly  crack  of  the  Texan  rifles  fell  like 
sharpest  thunder  upon  the  senses  of  the  assail- 
ants within  the  dwelling  ;  they  rushed  simulta- 
neously towards  doors  and  windows,  struck  with 
a  frightful  panic  ;  and  many  of  them  fell  pierced 
with  rifle  balls  while  forcing  themselves  out. 

"Was  there  ever  sweeter  music?"  cried 
Wilson,  as  the  rifles  continued  to  utter  their 
voices  of  death. 

"Never,  since  the  world  was  made,"  replied 


Lee.      "Cameron    and  the    Rangers   forever! 
God  bless  them !" 

"Those  without  are  flying,"  sail!  James. 

Captain  Wilson  sprang  to  the  wndow,  still 
supporting  Marianna,  and  shouting  the  name  of 
Cameron.  The  well-known  voice  of  their  com- 
mander reached  the  ears  of  the  Rangers,  and 
they  cheered  him  to  the  echo. 

In  an  instant  Cameron  sprang  in  through  a 
sliattered  window,  and  Wilson  wrung  his  hand 
in  expressive  silence  ;  the  hearts  of  all  paitias 
were  too  full  to  speak. 

The  dark  face  of  Felix  appeared  in  the  win- 
dow. 

"  Go  yer  death,  massa  Kentuck  !" 

"  All  safe,  Felix,"  said  the  ranger,  in  a  low 
voice. 

"  Where's  massa  Ethington?" 

The  captain's  countenance  fell,  and  he  looked 
inquiringly  at  Cameron  ;  the  latter  shook  his 
head.  The  African  glanced  from  one  to  the 
other,  and  his  large  eyes  displayed  a  frightfid 
quantity  of  white. 

"Here's  a  scrape  for  dis  nigger!"  he  ex- 
claimed. "  You'd  better  all  on  ye  be  dead,  and 
dis  child  better  be  dead  too.  Why  don't  yer 
Ruminate  de  subjeck,  some  on  ye?" 

"We  can't,"  said  the  captain.  "  I  would 
most  gladly,  if  I  could.  I  trust  he  is  safe, 
however." 

"  I  shan't  'spress  my  idees  till  I  know  sun- 
thin'  'tickerlar  in  regard  to  de  natur  ob  de  pe- 
cooliar  carcumstancesobdecase,"  replied  Felix, 
ominously.  "  But  if  dis  darkey,"  he  added, 
"  wai- to  promulgate  any  'pinion,  it  wouldn't 
be  ambigerous  to  de  happiness  ob  dis  occasion." 

Lights  were  speedily  procured,  the  dead  and 
wounded  removed  by  the  Rangers,  and  such 
precautions  for  the  general  safety  taken  as  the 
case  required.  The  enemy  were  completely 
routed,  and  the  bold  Texans  had  the  pleasure  of 
receivmg  the  heartfelt  thanks  of  the  people  of 
Bexar,  whose  homes  they  had  defended. 


CHAPTER  XL 


THE    SCOUTING     PAKTY. 


I  PON  the  following  morning  FelLx  was  seen 
wandering  about  with  a  melancholy  and 
dejected  air.  His  master  could  not  be  found, 
and  no  one  could  give  any  infomiation  respect- 
ing his  fate.  Ridgley  communicated  to  the  caj> 
tain  what  had  transpired  at  his  house  the  night 
previous,  and  how  opportunely  the  young  man 
had  appeared  to  do  him  an  important  service  ; 
he  had  hastened  away  to  join  the  Rangers,  and 
that  was  all  he  knew  of  his  movements  on  that 
occasion. 

All  agreed  that  he  was  either  captured  or 
slain,  and  as  his  body  could  not  be  found,  they 
had  good  reason  to  suppose  that  he  was  a 
prisoner. 

As  Felix  was  walking  up  and  down  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Texan  camp,  with  a  sad  counte- 
nance, he  beheld  the  lad  he  had  seen  at  San 
Jacinto  (and  who  always  seemed  to  be  near 
Pwidgley)  approaching. 

"Well,  Massa 'Gustus,"  said  Felix,  "the 
Mexicums  hab  cotched  Massa  Ethington  at  last." 

"  So  I  have  heard,"  replied  Augustus. 
"  What  do  you  intend  to  do?" 


"What  am  I  gwine  to  do?" 

"Yes,  Felix" 

"  I  know  what  I'd  do,  if  I  could." 

"What?" 

"I'd  send  dat  white  g-al  dat  disappinted 
him,  to  de  plenopetentiary  for  life,'*'«iid  Felix. 

"  0,  you  wouldn't  be  so  bad,  I  know,"  an- 
swered Augustus,  promptly.  "  Perhaps  she 
deserves  it,  though,"  he  added,  quickly. 

"  If  she  don't,  nobody  does." 

"  There's  no  knowing  what  girls  will  do," 
said  Augustus. 

"  Dat's  a  fack ;  dey  isn't  to  be  tnisted,  no 
how." 

"  I  suppose  you  wiU  try  and  find  your  mas- 
ter, Felix?"  said  Augustus,  looking  searchingly 
at  the  African. 

"  You  may  bet  yer  life  on  dat,  Ma.ssa  'Gus- 
tus. If  dis  child  can't  find  him,  dere's  no  live 
nigger  that  can." 

"  I  like  your  spirit,"  added  the  lad.  "I 
have  half  a  mind  to  go  with  you." 

"  YouV  exclaimed  Felix,  rather  contempt- 
uously. 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


61 


"Yes,  me,"  answered  Henrie,  striking  him- 
self lightly  upon  the  chest  with  his  gloved  hand. 

"Well,  you  look  like  it!"  added  the  negro. 
"Heah,  heah  !" 

"  Why  do  you  laugh,  Felix?" 

"Why  does  I  laugh V" 

"Yes." 

"  To  hear  such  a  dainty  little  fellow  talk  ob 
gwine  wid  me.     Yah,  yah  !" 

"It's  not  always  the  largest  person  that  can 
do  the  most,  Felix.  You  know  where  there's  a 
will  to  do  good,  there's  always  a  way." 

"  So  I've  heered ;  and  you  showed  a  heap  o' 
kindness  to  massa  when  he  was  wounded.  He 
speak  ob  you  bery  ofFen  since  he's  been  here. 
He  said  he  couldn't  keep  you  out  of  his  mind, 
on  no  'count  whatsornever." 

"  Did  he  really  say  that?"  asked  Augustus, 
earnestly.  "  I  thought  he  didn't  seem  to  like 
me  very  well  for  some  reason." 

"  Well,  he  got  ober  dat,  and  felt  bery  lone- 
some and  solemcholy  'kase  you  wasn't  here. 
I've  heered  him  call  Massa  'Gustusniany  a  time 
in  his  sleep."  , 

Upon  hearing  these  words  the  features  of  the 
youth  were  lighted  up  with  a  strange  gleam  of 
satisfaction. 

"  Ah,  well,  it  is  pleasant  to  be  remembered 
by  those  whoMi'we  esteem,"  said  Henrie,  with  a 
faint  smile.      "  It  makes  the  heart  feel  ligliter." 

"Do  you  tink  cullud  persons  hab  hearts, 
massa?" 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt  of  it,"  replied  Au- 
gustus. "I  have  known  some  very  respectable 
negroes  whose  sensibilities  were  as  acute,  ap- 
parently, as  a  white  person's.  In  regard  to 
your  master,  I  hope  you  will  leave  no  means 
untried  to  aid  him.  If  you  need  any  pecuniary 
assistance,  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  assist  you." 

"  Tank  you,  massa,  but  I  don't  need  nothin' 
in  dat  line,"  answered  Felix. 

Wishing  the  latter  success,  Augustus  turned 
and  walked  to  the  camp  of  the  Texan  Rangers, 
and  was  met  on  the  way  by  Captain  Wilson, 
who  manifested  much  pleasure  as  well  as  sur- 
prise at  the  unexpected  event, 
jisas  river.    "      ''■^  the  '•"'      ",  "  probably  aware 


of  the  fact  that  Mr.  Ethington,  the  brave  gen- 
tleman, to  whom  you  showed  considerable  kind- 
ness, is  missing^  and  was  doubtless  captured 
during  the  skirmish  of  last  night." 

"Yes,  I  know,"  replied  the  youth,  "and 
have  come  to  ask  what  you  intend  to  do?" 

"  I  will  tell  you,  my  lad,  with  pleasure.  I 
shall  take  a  few  of  my  bravest  and  trustiest 
fellows,  and  follow  the  enemy  as  for  as  an  In- 
dian follows  the  trail  of  a  marauding  war-party. 
It  I  never  shall  be  said  of  an  alligator  from  Old 
Kentuck,  that  he  deserts  a  friend  in  the  time  of 
his  extreme  need.  No,  no  ;  that  wont  do ;  I 
must  shoulder  my  rifle,  take  their  track,  cross 
the  Nueces,  traverse  prairies,  forest  and  chap- 
parels,  in  search  of  my  friend." 

"It  gives  me  pleasure  to  hear  you  say  so !" 
exclaimed  Augustus,  warmly.  "  I  knew  you 
were  of  a  bold  and  chivalrous  nature." 

' '  Whether  that  be  the  case  or  not,  the  man 
whom  I  am  going  to  seek  is  the  soul  of  soldiery, 
the  heart  of  honor ;  and  I  will  never  forsake 
him,  while  there  is  a  chance,  how^ever  small  it 
may  be,  of  serving  him.  If  I  cannot  avert  his 
fate,  I  will  incur  the  risk  of  sharing  it,  if  I  can 
flo  nothing  more  ;  friendship  requires  as  much  as 
this." 

"  Possibly  it  is  too  late  to  V  ♦ '  '•iuy  essential 
service  to  him,"  added  Augustus,  in  a  low 
voice. 

"  Very  true.  He  has  been  an  object  of  par- 
ticular dislike  to  our  enemies  fiom  first  to  last ;' 
and  it  is  gi'eatly  to  be  feared  that  they  will  make 
short  work  with  him ;  more  especially  if  the 
man  called  WikofF  and  tlie  villain  Cogswell  have 
anything  to  do  with  the  matter." 

"You  think  this  WikofF  whom  you  have 
mentioned,  is  an  enemy  to  him  ?"  said  Augus- 
tus. 

' '  A  most  bitter  and  uncompromising  one ; 
for  you  see  there  is  a  woman  in  the  scrape." 

"  I  have  heard  that  he  loves  my  cousin  An- 
drea," returned  Henrie. 

"Yes,  and  that  makes  all  the  trouble.  It 
appears  that  Ethington  was  sure  enough  of  the 
girl,  and  loved  her  tenderly,  until  some  fiital 
misunderstanding,  the  nature  of  which  I  do  not 


62 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


exactly  know,  and  never  could  find  out,"  ob- 
served Wilson. 

"  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  he  never  tried  to 
have  the  difficulty  expkined,"  resumed  Au- 
gustus,  thoughtfully. 

"  He  did  not  like  to  say  much  about  the  sub- 
ject ;  and  the  foct  was,  he  said  it  never  could 
be  explained  ;  but  it  is  my  opinion  that  this 
same  WikofFhad  an  agency  in  the  affair,"  an- 
swered the  captain. 

"  Have  you  seen  Mr.  Ridgley,  this  momlng  V" 

"I  have,  and  he  told  me  of  the  unwarrant- 
able attack  on  his  mansion,  and  of  the  service 
rendered  by  our  mutual  friend,  Ethington.  It 
appears  that  Mr.  Ridgley  is  Miss  St.  Aubert's 
uncle?" 

'.'  Yes." 

"  You  know  her,  then  ?" 

"  Very  well,  but  not  quite  so  well  as  I  wish 
I  did,"  said  the  youth,  with  a  sigh. 

"  Why,  my  lad,  you  are  not  in  love  with  her, 
are  you?" 

"  0,  no;  but  I  like  her  very  well  when  she 
pleases  me." 

"  Is  she  handsome  ?" 

"  Rosalia  thinks  she  is." 

"  Well,  what  do  you  think  ?" 

"  My  opinion  isn't  worth  much  on  such  mat- 
ters ;  but  I  should  say  that  she  had  a  fair  share 
of  beauty,  though  not  much  more  than  usually 
falls  to  the  lot  of  young  ladies.  She  has  regu- 
lar features,  and  Rosalia  says  a  very  good  figure, 
but  I  imagine  I  could  find  fault  with  both." 

"Rosalia  is  Mr.  Rldgley's  daughter?" 

"  And  consequently  my  cousin,  also." 

"Well,  I  hope  it  will  all  come  right  ultimate- 

"  No  one  desires  such  an  event  more  sincere- 
ly than  the  youth  now  before  you,''  added 
Henrie,  sighing. 

With  mutual  good  wishes  tlie  parties  sepa- 
rated, the  captain  to  make  the  necesssary  prepa- 
rations for  pursuing  the  enemy,  and  the  other 
to  follow  the  bent  of  his  own  fancies,  whatever 
they  might  be. 

Cameron  and  a  half-dozen  of  the  boldest  and 
liardiest  of  the  Rangers  were  selected  ^o  carry 


out  the  object  in  view,  while  the  company  wa3 
left  in  command  of  the  second  lieutenant  until 
they  should  return.  The  eaptain  did  not  con- 
sider it  safe  to  take  more  men,  as  the  town  might 
be  again  attacked,  when  all  would  be  needed  in 
its  defence. 

Well  armed,  and  feeling  fully  prepared  for 
any  emergency,  the  little  party  set  off  on  the 
expedition,  followed  by  the  good  wishes  of  those 
who  remained  behind.  They  crossed  the  Rio 
San  Miguel,  and  directed  their  course  towards 
the  Nueces.  Felix  had  joined  Wilson  and  his 
brave  fellows,  greatly  elated  with  the  prospect 
of  being  of  any  service  to  his  master. 

It  was  found  a  matter  of  some  difficulty  to 
trace  the  enemy.  They  were  obliged  to  pro- 
ceed slowly,  and  with  the  observance  of  much 
caution,  to  prevent  a  surprise  by  large  parties  of 
Mexicans  who  might  be  scouring  the  country  in 
that  vicinity.  During  the  first  half  day's  travel, 
numerous  signs  of  the  retreating  enemy  were 
seen  ;  but  after  passing  a  small  tributary  of  the 
Rio  Frio,  they  discovered  that  they  were  uo 
longer  guided  by  the  landmarks  that  had  direct- 
ed their  footsteps  previously. 

The  region  which  they  were  now  entering 
differed  materially  from  that  behind  them,  being 
covered  with  dense  chapparel  and  stunted  trees, 
interspersed  with  ponds  and  small  salt  lakes. 
After  spending  considerable  time  to  find  traces 
of  the  enemy,  and  the  night  approaching,  it  was 
thought  best  to  camp  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
prepare  for  a  more  thorough  and  earnest  search 
upon  the  following  day. 

AVilson  and  Cameron  stood  apart  from  their 
companions.  With  folded  arms  and  thoughtful 
faces,  they  watched  the  shadows  of  night  steal- 
ing over  lake  and  chapparel. 

"  An  hour  like  this  casts  a  spell  uix)n  my 
spirit,"  said  Cameron.  "I  love  to  see  the 
glare  of  day  fade  and  give  place  to  the  dim 
placid   twilight." 

"  I  have  similar  feelings,"  replied  Wilson  ; 
"but  I  like  night  best  when  more  advanced  to- 
ward the  small  hours,  and  the  moon  and  stars 
I  are  mildly  beamirr  " 


THE  TEXAN  BRAYO. 


63 


Cameron  made  no  reply,  and  the  parties  re- 
mained silent.     Wilson  was  the  first  to  speak. 

"That's  a  heavy  rifle  of  yours,"  he  said, 
glancing  at  the  weapon  upon  which  Cameron 
was  leaning.  "  I  dare  say  it  has  heen  of  ser- 
vice to  you  in  its  time  ?" 

"  No  money  could  induce  me  to  part  with  it, 
because  I  have  proved  its  metal  on  many  occa- 
sions. Did  I  ever  tell  you  of  an  adventure  that 
I  had  once  nearEed  river?" 

"  You  never  did  ;  I  should  like  to  hear  it." 
said  Wilson. 

"  Several  years  ago,"  re.sumed  Cameron,  "  I 
was  hunting  near  Cross  Timbers,*  not  far  from 
E.ed  river.  The  Indians  were  then  trouble- 
some, and  frequently  committed  their  depreda- 
tions upon  the  frontier  settlements ;  but  I  was 
fond  of  hunting,  and  cared  little  for  them,  will- 
ing to  trust  to  my  own  courage  and  ingenuity 
m  any  emergency  that  might  occur.  I  carried 
this  same  rifle,  and  wa.s  called  one  of  the  best 
.><hots  in  the  country. 

"  Many  people  said  the  piece  was  too  heavy 
for  common  use  ;  but  I  was  accustomed  to  it, 
and  it  didn't  feel  burdensome  to  me ;  and  when 
I  fired,  it  was  sure  to  do  the  right  thing,  for 
what  animal  could  carry  off  an  ounce  and  a  half 
of  lead,  skilfully  sped  on  its  errand  ? 

"  Having  discovered  Indian  signs  one  day,  I 
thought  it  best  to  change  my  hunting  ground ; 
and  so  put  a  considerable  distance  between  my- 
self and  the  spot,  and  encamped  on  a  wide  prai- 
rie, bounded  on  the  east  by  the  '  Cro.ss  Timbers.' 
Not  long  after  this  event,  I  was  sitting  on  the 
bank  of  a  small  stream,  resting  my  weary  limbs 
after  a  long  and  fatiguing  hunt,  wlien  I  was 
fired  upon  and  slightly  wounded. 

"  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  discover  the 
marks.nan,  who  proved  to  be  an  Indian,  ofwhat 
tribe  I  do  not  now  lemember.  I  instantly  shot 
him  dead,  and  then  perceived  that  he  was  not 
alone  ;  for  one  of  his  brethren  was  with  him, 
who  made  good  his  escape.     Time  passed  on, 

*  A  continuous  series  of  fore.st,  varying  in  breadth 
from  five  to  ten  miles,  and  extendinfr  in  a  direct  line 
from  the  source  of  the  Trinity  northward  to  the  Ar- 
kansas river. 


and  I  was  undisturbed  in  my  amusements  for  a 
longtime. 

One  day  not  feeling  very  well,  I  returned  to 
my  camp  sooner  than  usual.  I  laid  down  and 
tried  to  sleep,  but  couldn't.  I  felt  uneasy  and 
nei-vous.  and  so  arose  and  went  out  on  to  the 
prairie.  The  grass  was  now  very  tall,  and  the 
hot  suns  of  the  season  had  dried  it  until  it  wa.s 
crispy,  and  rattled  as  I  walked  through  it.  I 
ascended  a  gentle  swell  and  looked  around  me. 
The  scene  was  a  grand  one.  On  one  hand  were 
the  '  Cross  Timbers  '  dimly  seen  in  tlie  distance, 
resembling  a  dense  wall  of  wood  built  by  Inmian 
hands  ;  while  in  every  other  direction  the  prai- 
rie stretched  away  until  lost  in  the  -  distance. 
The  sun  was  getting  low,  and  looked  like  j^i  sun- 
set on  the  sea.  As  my  eyes  wandered  from 
point  to  point,  they  were  suddenly  fixed  upon  a 
solitary  figure  .several  hundred  yards  distant,  at 
the  ft>ot  of  the  long  swell  or  roll  upon  which  I 
was  standing. 

"  He  stood  in  an  oj^en  space,  and  at  first  I 
wondered  how  that  could  be,  as  the  grass  wa.s 
so  high  in  every  other  place  ;  but  the  affair  soon 
explained  itself. 

"  More  careful  observation  showed  me  that  the 
solitary  figure  was  an  Indian,  and  his  object  in 
plucking  up  the  dry  grass  was  evident ;  he  was 
going  to  fire  the  prairie  I  It  was  doubtless  the 
same  fellow  that  had  escaped  at  the  time  when 
I  had  been  fired  at.  He  had  discovered  my 
retreat,  and  was  about  to  revenge  his  comrade 
in  a  signal  manner. 

"The  wind  was  blowing  fresh  towards  me. 
and  if  the  grass  was  once  set  on  fire,  no  power 
on  earth  could  save  me,  for  the  fleetest  horse 
could  not  run  fast  enough  to  escape  its  devour- 
ing flames.  A  terrible  dread  of  that  kind  of  a 
death  came  over  me.  I  stood  like  one  fascina- 
ted, and  gazed  at  the  preparations  of  the  savage. 
He  stood  in  the  middle  of  the  open  space  he 
had  made,  with  a  blazing  torch  in  his  hand. 
Innumerable  thoughts  rushed  through  my  mind 
in  an  instant  of  time.  I  was  never  so  complet»i- 
ly  paralyzed  and  stupefied  before  in  my  \ih. 
The  power  of  thought  seemed  the  only  power 
left  me.  and  that  was  stimulated  to  an  unnatu- 


64 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


ral  degree.  The  past,  present  and  future  were 
reviewed  and  speculated  upon  in  that  brief  and 
broken  fragment  of  time  in  which  the  savage 
stood  waiting  for  the  brand  to  burn  up  more 
brightly  before  he  thrust  it  into  the  grass. 

' '  Yes  ;  my  destiny  was  to  be  burned  !  Some 
hunter  or  traveller  would  find  my  body  charred 
and  blackened ;  and  others,  after  a  time,  would 
pass  my  bones  bleaching  in  the  sun.  I  shud- 
dered ;  my  eyes  felt  hot ;  my  tongue  was  dry, 
and  I  imagined  that  I  felt  the  flames  creeping 
over  me.  If  it  had  been  a  danger  that  I  could 
have  battled  with,  or  if  I  could  have  seen  any 
chance  for  escape  depending  upon  my  own  exer- 
tions, it  would  have  been  different ;  but  now  all 
I  could  do  was  to  stand  and  stare  the  most 
dreadful  of  all  deaths  in  the  face.  You  must  re- 
member that  all  these  ideas  and  reflections 
rushed  through  my  brain  in  the  shortest  appre- 
ciable space  of  time  ;  for  you  must  know  that 
the  sudden  prospect  of  great  danger  from  which 
there  is  no  apparent  mode  of  escape,  imparts 
to  the  brain  a  horrible  faculty  of  thought,  of 
which  the  mind  at  rest  can  form  no  possible  con- 
ception. 

"  I  clcsed  my  eyes  in  despair,  and  commend- 
ed my  soul  to  God  ;  but  it  was  impossible  for 
me  to  close  my  vision  against  the  one  great  and 
absorbing  idea  in  my  mind — that  of  being  burnt 
up  like  a  vile  reptile  that  crawls  in  the  weeds. 

"  My  lids  unclosed  again,  and  as  they  did  so, 
my  eyes  rested  upon  my  trusty  rifle ;  it  was  the 
first  time  I  had  thought  of  it,  for  the  distance 
was  great  between  me  and  my  enemy  ;  but  now 
it  looked  like  an  old  friend,  and  the  only  one 
that  had  power  to  save  me. 

"I  embraced  the  thought  that  the  sight  of 
my  rifle  called  up,  with  joy — a  species  of  joy 
which  is  nearly  overpowered  by  an  antagonizing 
feeling. 

"  One  chance  still  remained — a  small  chance 
it  was  true,  but  still  a  chance ;  and  despair 
cannot  completely  paralyze  and  subdue  the  heart, 
while  even  one  faint   hope    remained.     I  lifted 


the  instrument  upon  which  hung  my  destiny. 
As  my  glance  ran  over  the  intervening  distance, 
I  felt  how  desperate  indeed  was  my  prospect  of 
life,  for  an  hundred  good  marksmen  might  try 
then-  skill  in  vain,  in  aiming  at  an  object  so  far 
off.  Then  I  remembered  that  my  weapon  was 
of  uncommon  calibre  and  weight,  and  would 
throw  a  ball  farther  than  any  I  had  ever  seen. 
I  recollected  also  that  I  had  loaded  it  that  very 
day  with  uncommon  care,  and  for  a  long  shot. 

"  The  Indian  moved  the  torch,  and  was  about 
to  apply  it  to  the  combustible  material ;  there 
was  no  time  to  lose.  The  rifle  came  to  my 
shoulder  quick  and  firm,  and  I  braced  up  my 
nerves  for  a  steady  aim  with  a  strong  effort  of 
the  will.  I  looked  through  the  'double  sights,' 
and  the  muzzle  covered  the  Indian's  head.  My 
heart  seemed  to  stop  beating,  held  in  the  grasp 
of  that  terrible  suspense.  It  was  but  an  in- 
stant— then  the  rifle  sent  its  ounce  and  a  half 
of  lead  on  its  mission  with  a  crack  that  was  un- 
usually loud  and  sharp,  and  a  recoil  which 
threw  me  back  a  few  paces. 

"The  smoke  curled  away,  but  I  dared  not 
look.  I  passed  my  hand  slowly  across  my 
forehead,  for  my  brain  was  throbbing  painfully. 
Every  moment  I  expected  to  be  greeted  by  a 
dense  smoke  from  the  burning  prairie,  Jttid  to 
hear  the  hissing  of  the  rushing  flame  ;  but  notli- 
ing  of  the  kind  occurred,  and  I  ventured  to 
look  towards  the  spot  where  the  savage  had 
stood  with  his  torch  ;  I  took  courage,  reloaded 
my  rifle,  and  hastily  walked  towards  the  place. 

"  I  reached  it — the  Indian  lay  upon  his  back 
— the  brand,  half  extinguished,  beside  him  ;  an 
ounce  and  a  half  of  lead  had  passed  through  his 
head.  I  sank  down  overpowered  with  gratitude, 
and  the  various  emotions  which  such  an  incident 
was  calculated  to  inspire.  That  was  the  great- 
est shot  I  ever  made,  and  probably  shall  never 
equal  it  again.  Can  you  wonder  that  I  am  at- 
tached to  the  rifle  V" 

"Not  at  all,"  said  the  captain,  earnestly. 
"  I  should  never  part  with  it,  if  it  was  mine." 


CHAPTER  Xll. 


ESCAPE    OF    WILSON— =THE    FORT. 


iF^  AllLY  In  the  morning  Captain  Wilson  and 
llCffj  Lieutenant  Cameron,  leaving  their  horses 
with  their  companions,  left  the  camp  on  foot  to 
reconnoitre.  Being  well  acquainted  Avith  the 
habits  of  their  enemies,  they  apprehended  little 
or  no  danger  in  such  a  movement,  and  soon 
separated. 

Wilson  struck  off  to  the  right,  and  pursued  a 
north-westerly  direction  over  a  rough  and  unin- 
viting tract  of  country,  often  obliged  to  force 
his  way  thi-ough  rausquit-bushes  so  tliickly  mat- 
ted with  vines  that  it  was  a  work  of  some  diffi- 
culty to  proceed.  At  length  he  reached  a  more 
open  region,  and  was  able  to  go  forward  with 
less  exertion. 

The  wide  rolling  prairies,  characteristic  of 
most  of  the  country  between  the  Nueces  and  the 
Colorado,  were  no  longer  seen.  The  captain 
entered  a  narrow  defile,  and  after  following  it 
for  some  time,  ascended  a  sharp  hill,  at  the  foot 
<jof  which  lay^  sluggish  looking  lake,  with  some 
sickly  vegetation^^'^^owing  upon  its  margin. 
Near  this  sheet  of  water  he  discovered  signs  of 
'.a  ^ai-ty  of  horscinen. 


Upon  a  closer  inspection  he  felt  sui-e  that  the 
tracks  were  produced  by  the  small  feet  of  the 
mustang,  commonly  used  among  the  Mexicans. 
To  put  the  matter  beyond  doubt,  he  followed 
the  tracks  a  considerable  distance,  and  as  the 
soil  in  that  place  was  sandy,  the  impressions 
were  quite  distinct. 

Having  satisfied  himself  that  they  were  made 
by  a  party  of  Mexicans,  the  captain  of  the  Ran- 
gers was  about  to  retrace  his  steps,  when  the 
sound  of  horses'  feet  at  full  gallop  caused  him 
to  turn  his  attention  in  another  direction. 
Three  Mexicans  mounted  after  the  fashion  of 
the  country,  upon  mustangs,  were  advancing  at 
the  top  of  their  speed.  Two  of  the  party  had 
lassos  in  their  hands,  ready  to  throw  with  that 
terrible  precision  acquired  by  long  and  constant 
practice,  while  the  third  held  an  escopeta  in  such 
manner^,  that  Wilson  was  led  to  expect  kn- 
it^ of  hostility. 

ated  their  speed  as  they   neared  the 

[tidently  fearful  of  the  effects  of  the 

laid  across  his  arm.     Perceiving  that 

approach  would  be  likely  to  prove  fatal 


66 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


to  one  or  more  of  them,  they  begfin  to  ride 
around  him  in  circles,  and  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance from  each  other,  hoping  to  confuse  him 
and  so  distract  his  attention,  that  the  fellow  with 
the  escopeta  might,  by  a  sudden  movement,  get 
within  shooting  distance ;  but  this  idea  proved 
how  little  they  knew  of  the  disposition  of  the 
Kentuckian.  So  far  from  being  embarrassed, 
or  having  his  attention  divided  by  their  ma- 
n(euvres,  he  beheld  them  with  perfect  cahnness 
and  self-possession. 

He  liad  been  in  many  engagements,  and 
smelled  gunpowder  too  often  to  be  thus  easily 
frightened.  Jdonientarily  the  assailants  lessened 
the  diameter  of  their  circles,  shaking  their  lassos, 
shouting,  and  scattering  the  sand  at  a  great 
rate. 

Though  the  ranger  dreaded  the  lasso,  he  re- 
solved to  bring  down  the  fellow  with  the  escopeta 
first,  if  possible,  and  then  deal  with  the  others 
as  circumstances  might  permit.  He  patiently 
waited  his  opportunity  as  the  circle  nan-owed ; 
l)ut  the  object  he  had  selected  for  liis  mark  seem- 
ed to  mistrust  his  intentions,  and  kept  his  mus- 
tang continually  upon  the  move. 

Tired  at  length  with  this  continual  watchful- 
ness, he  let  the  breech  of  his  rifle  fall  to  the 
ground,  determined  to  suffer  them  to  exhaust 
themselves  with  their  efforts.  Seeing  him  thus 
standing,  calmly  leaning  upon  the  muzzle  of 
his  rifle,  the  Mexican  checked  his  animal,  and 
raised  his  weapon  to  his  shoulder. 

Knowing  the  ^lexicans  to  be  poor  marksmen, 
and  the  distance  being  great,  the  ranger  had  no 
fears  for  the  result,  and  tauntingly  shouted  to 
him  to  fire.  He  obeyed,  and  the  ball  struck 
the  ground  several  yards  from  the  captain. 
Cursing  his  poor  powder  and  want  of  success, 
the  IMexican  scampered  away  to  reload,  leaving 
his  comrades  to  shout  and  threaten,  and  shake 
their  lassos  to  their  hearts'  content 

In  a  moment  the  cowardly  fellov 
his  courage  somewhat  increased  by  tl 
his  weapon.  It  was  now  apparent 
tended  to  try  his  luck  again,  with  t,h 
improvement  of  getting  a  little  n^ar 
on  by  the  taunts  and  sneers  of  his  <. 


he  gradually  approached  the  Kentuckian.  He 
stopped  his  mustang,  levelled  his  escopeta,  and 
threw  himself  forward  in  the  saddle  ;  but  Wil- 
son was  too  quick  for  him  ;  he  had  not  practised 
rifle  sliooting  for  tiothing  in  the  wilds  of  "  Old 
Kentuck."  Before  the  finger  of  the  Mexican 
had  touched  the  trigger,  a  leaden  messenger  had 
pierced  his  heart ;  he  sprang  up  into  the  air. 
and  fell  to  the  ground  never  to  mingle  again 
with  the  affairs  of  earth. 

The  mustang  shook  himself,  smelled  the  body 
of  his  master,  and  with  a  snort  shied  away  from 
the  spot.  But  with  Wilson  the  worst  was  to 
come  ;  the  fellows  with  the  lassos  would  now  be 
upon  him  in  a  moment,  as  his  rifle  was  empty 
and  they  had  no  more  to  fear  from  it.  He  sprang 
to  reloading  as  f:ist  as  possible,  but  before  the 
powder  had  reached  tlie  place  of  its  destination, 
or  the  ball  had  followed  it,  a  lasso  was  flying 
through  the  air,  the  fatal  noose  directed  towards 
the  captain's  head. 

He  avoided  it  by  a  dexterous  movement,  and 
before  he  had  well  recovered  himself  for  another 
exertion,  the  second  lasso  wa.s  suspended  over 
him.  He  could  not  wholly  evade  it;  it  caught 
his  right  arm  in  his  attempt  to  ward  it  off,  and 
he  was  dragged  several  yards  before  he  could 
extricate  him.seif. 

And  now  succeeded  a  terrible  struggle  for 
life  and  death ;  the  skill  with  which  they  han- 
dled those  execrable  instruments  of  strangula- 
tion, requiring  all  the  agility,  strength,  and 
presence  of  mind  of  the  Kentuckian  to  prevent 
the  object  in  view.  He  drew  a  pistol,  but  amid 
the  rapid  evolutions  which  he  was  obliged  to 
make,  it  was  difficult  to  use  it  with  any  kind  of 
accuracy ;  and  he  only  had  the  satisfaction  of 
inflicting  a  slight  flesh  wound,  which  served  to 
stimulate  his  antagonists  to  fresh  exertions  with 
their  infernal  lassos,  which,  despite  all  his  en- 
deavors to  the  contrary,  he  began  to  believe  they 
would  eventually  succeed  in  fastening  upon  his 
neck,  when  his  fate  would  be  sealed ;  this  ob- 
ject achieved,  the  mustang  would  be  spurred  into 
a  gallop,  and  himself  dragged  at  his  heels  until 
life  was  extinct. 

With  this  tragical  prospect  in  view,  the  joy  of 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


67 


the  ranger  may  in  some  measure  be  imagined, 
when  in  the  scuffle  and  confusion,  he  caught  a 
glimpse  of  Cameron  looking  through  the  double 
sights.  Before  he  could  breathe  twice,  the  fel- 
low most  active  with  the  lasso  was  knocked  out  of 
his  saddle  by  an  ounce  and  a  half  of  lead,  which 
crashed  through  his  skull,  scattering  his  brains 
in  the  face  of  his  companion. 

Struck  dumb  and  powerless  with  surprise  and 
horror,  the  latter  became  motionless  in  the  very 
act  of  throwing  his  lasso.  Wilson  caught  the 
other  pistol  from  his  side,  and  in  a  moment  he 
lay  beside  the  body  of  his  friend. 

"  God  bless  you,  Cameron  !"  exclaimed  Wil- 
son, sinking  exhausted  upon  the  earth. 

"Just  in  time,"  replied  the  lieutenant. 
"  You  were  having  a  hard  time  with  those  in- 
fernal contrivances,"  he  added,  pointing  at  the 
lassos  which  were  made  fast  to  the  saddles,  and 
were  now  trailing  upon  the  ground  as  the  mus- 
tangs moved  away  and  began  to  nibble  at  the 
tufts  of  grass  that  grew  here  and  there. 

"  Alligators  and  snappin'  turtles !  I  can 
deal  with  anything  better  than  those  lassos," 
said  the  captain,  wiping  the  perspiration  from 
his  brow. 

"  They  are  greatly  to  be  dreaded  when  there 
is  a  proper  field  for  their  use,"  answered 
Cameron. 

"What  a  relief  it  was  to  see  you  with  that 
implement  of  death  to  j'our  fixce,"  added  Wil- 
son. "I  knew  I  was  safe  when  I  caught  a 
glimpse  of  you  looking  along  the  sights ;  it  was 
the  most*  joyful  emotion  that  I  ever  experienced, 
for  I  was  dreadfully  worried  and  put  to  my 
trumps,  I  can  tell  you." 

"  I  can  form  a  tolerable  idea  of  it.  I  was 
placed  in  a  situation  somewhat  similar  myself. 
I  was  on  a  prairie  between  the  Rio  Frio  and  the" 
San  Miguel ;  I  stood  looking  at  the  western 
skies,  lost  in  a  pleasing  reverie.  AVliile  in  that 
position,  I  partially  forgot  myself,  let  my  rifle 
slip  from  my  gi-asp,  and  fall  upon  the  grass  at 
my  feet.  I  did  not  immediately  pick  it  up,  and 
it  was  lucky  that  I  did  not,  for  before  the  lapse 
of  three  minutes,  I  saw  a^^Iexican  chap  approttdi- 


ing  at  a  fast  gallop  with  his  lasso  ready  to  whirl 
at  my  head. 

"The  moment  I  put  my  eyes  on  him,  I 
thought  I  could  play  the  'possum  a  little.  I 
did  not  so  much  as  look  towards  my  rifle,  but 
dropped  right  down  upon  my  marrow  bones, 
held  up  both  hands,  and  begged  for  mercy  in 
Spanish  with  all  the  eloquence  I  could  muster 
for  the  occasion.  You  see  he  thought  I  was 
unarmed,  and  advanced  boldly  with  an  expres- 
sion of  malice  upon  his  face  that  I  shall  never 
forget  should  I  live  to  be  as  old  as  the  most 
venerable  of  the  patriarchs. 

"  I  continued  to  cry  out  most  piteously  un- 
til he  got  pretty  near  me,  when  I  caught  my 
rifle  from  among  the  grass,  and  auned  it  straight 
at  his  villanous  countenance.  It's  my  opinion 
you  never  saw  a  fellow  stop  more  suddenly  than 
he  did,  and  his  dark  visage  grew  as  white  as  a 
pale-faced  girl's.  I  let  him  enjoy  the  surprise 
for  a  few  seconds,  and  then  blazed  away.  If 
you  should  ever  pass  over  that  spot  in  .the  sea- 
son of  the  year,  j'ou  will  find  the  prairie  grass 
growing  very  rank  there  in  a  certain  place  about 
six  by  two.  I  rode  his  mustang  into  camp  that 
very  hour,  and  that  is  the  end  of  the  story." 

"  And  it's  my  opinion,"  answered  the  cap- 
tain, "that  we  had  better  ride  those  animals 
yonder,  back  to  our  brave  lads." 

"Allriglit,"  said  Cameron,  and  the  mus- 
tangs were  speedily  caught  and  mounted.  The 
one  that  had  first  been  freed  from  his  rider,  had 
strayed  a  considerable  distance ;  but  Cameron 
found  him  and  led  him  by  the  bridle ;  in  this 
manuer  they  safely  readied  their  companions 
before  night,  who  had  begun  to  feel  alarmed  at 
their  lon^  absence. 

The  following  morning  the  party  resumed 
their  way,  passing  over  the  same  ground  whicli 
Wilson  had  traversed  the  preceding  day.  After 
a  hai^ride,  tliey  encamped  on  the  margin  of  a 
small  salV  lake,  near  wliich  was  a  tolerable 
growth  of  cypress,  oak,  and  elm,  and  plenty  of 
pasturage  for  the  horses.  ^Vhile  they  were 
busily  employed  making  preparations  to  pass 
the  night  as  comfortably  as  the  case  would  ad- 
mit" of,  Ridgley  suddenly  appeared  among  them, 


(58 


THE  TEXAN  BllAYO. 


mounted  upon  a  stout  horse,   which   gave  un- 
mistakeable  signs  of  being  over-ridden. 

Each  man  ceased  operations  in  surprise,  for 
no  arrival  could  have  been  more  unexpected. 
Ridii-lev  threw  himself  from  his  steed,  and  beck- 
oned  Captain  Wilson  to  approach. 

"  I  bring  news  for  you,"  he  hurriedly  said. 
"The  enemy  are  all  around  you;  you  cannot 
go  forward  and  you  cannot  return.  If  you 
would  save  your  lives,  let  each  man  take  his  axe 
and  foil  to  work  erecting  a  suitable  defence. 
Cut  down  those  oaks  yonder,  and  other  trees  of 
a  proper  size,  and  build  them  up  into  a  fort  or 
something  of  that  kind,  which  you  will  know 
how  to  construct  better  than  I  can  tell  you." 

"  What  makes  you  think  the  danger  is  so 
pressing  V"  asked  the  ranger. 

"  Because  your  enemies  number  more  than  a 
hundred,  and  are  bent  on  your  destruction. 
They  are  moving  slowly  towards  you,  confident 
that  there  is  no  way  for  you  to  escape,"  replied 
Ridgley. 

"  Can't  we  cut  our  way  through  them'.'"  con- 
tinued Wilson. 

"  No  ;  it  were  folly  to  attempt  it.  Lose  no 
time,  but  follow  my  advice." 

"  But  bhey  will  starve  us  out,"  added 
Wilson. 

"Perhaps  assistance  will  reach  you  before 
that  time,"  said  Ridgley. 

"  What  will  you  do'f ' 

"I  shall  take  care  of  myself,  and  possibly 
do  something  for  you  ;  at  least  it  is  better  for 
one  to  perish  than  nine  brave  fellows.  Shall 
you  follow  my  advice?" 

"I  think  I  shall;  it  can  do  no  hurt  at  all 
events  to  put  ourselves  in  a  state  of  def<Hice. 
If  no  enemy  appears,  after  waiting  a  proper 
time,  we  can  push  forward  again." 

"  But  what  good  will  you  do  by  advancing 
farther  towards  the  enemy's  country  ?  The  suc- 
cess of  an  expedition  like  this,  depends  upon  its 
secresy.  You,  it  would  seem,  ai-e  already  dis- 
covered, consequently  can  effect  nothuig  on  ac- 
count of  your  numbers." 

"  There  is  much  reason  in  what  you  say,"  re- 
turned the  captain.     "  If  the  enemy  are  really 


on  our  track,  a  part  of  our  object  is  already 
baffled,  unless  we  can  manage  to  elude  them  and 
leave  them  at  fault." 

"  If  you  are  attacked,  I  know  you  will  make 
a  brave  defence,  and  hold  out  to  the  last,"  re- 
sumed Ridgley.  ' '  As  for  our  friend  Ethington, 
I  trust  we  sliall  be  able  to  serve  hun  yet,  if 
they  have  not  already  put  him  out  of  the  way. 
But  I  must  leave  you.     Adios,  capitanP^ 

Ridgley  sprang  to  the  saddle  and  clattered 
away  as  fast  as  the  nature  of  the  ground  would 
admit. 

"  That's  a  brave  fellow,  V  said  Wilson  to  Cam- 
eron, pointing  after  the  retreating  figure  of  the 
horseman.      "  He  is  every  inch  a  soldier." 

"  Then  he  is  a  man  for  the  times,"  replied 
the  lieutenant. 

"  He  is,"  was  the  emphatic  rejoinder. 

The  two  officers  now  consulted  together  for 
a  few  moments,  and  then  thj  captain  addressed 
his  men  as  follows  : 

"  My  bold  lads,  it  would  seem  that  the  Mexi- 
cans are  on  every  side  of  us  vn.  great  numbers, 
and  contemplate  an  ea.sy  victory  over  us,  we  be- 
ing but  a  handful  of  men.  The  person  who  has 
just  ridden  away,  has  brought  the  news,  and  he 
can  be  relied  on.  We  nmst  disappoint  our 
enemies,  if  possible,  and  to  do  so,  we  nmst  erect 
some  kind  of  a  defence.  Let  every  man  of  you 
fall  to  work  with  such  implements  as  we  may 
have,  axes,  hatchets,  etc.,  and  construct  a  log 
fort,  in  which  we  can  use  our  rifles  with  good 
effect,  while  we  are,  at  the  same  tune,  protected 
from  the  balls  of  our  enemies." 

This  short  speech  was  well  received,  and  the 
men  instantly  began  to  work.  Such  as  had 
axes,  felled  trees, » and  others  dragged  then- 
trunks  to  the  spot  selected  for  the  rude  struc- 
ture, to  which  they  intended  to  give  the  name 
of  a  fort. 

The  black  and  post  oak  were  principally  em- 
ployed for  this  purpose,  being  locked  together 
at  the  ends  by  notches  upon  each  side,  which 
gave  firmness  to  the  fabric.  Leaving  the  work 
going  on  very  rapidly,  Wilson  and  Cameron 
went  forth  to  reconnoitre,  and  bring  in  some 
game,  if  possible. 


THE  TEXAN  BKAVO. 


69 


TliGj  made  a  long  detour  around  the  camp, 
but  saw  nothing  to  excite  suspicion,  an* began 
to  question  the  soundness  of  Kidgley's  advice. 
Thej  were  fortunate  enough  to  kill  a  deer,  and 
returned  to  their  comrades  pretty  well  convinced 
that  the  danger  had  been  greatly  overrated  by 
their  friend.  But  they  thought  it  best  not  to 
express  their  views  on  the  subject,  and  so  fell  to 
work  and  assisted  the  men. 

Before  the  sun  was  up  in  the  morning,  thoy 
had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  their  labors  nearly 
completed.  The  walls  were  erected,  and  the  top 
covered  over  with  green  timber,  which  could  not 
be  easily  fired.  Notches  had  been  cut  in  the 
logs  previous  to  their  being  placed,  which,  when 
they  were  fitted  into  the  structure  at  the  proper 
height,  gave  the  fabric  the  appearance  of  being 
pierced  for  loop-holes,  after  the  fashion  of  more 
elaborate  fortifications. 

The  Texan  rifles  were  to  play  a  conspicuous 
part  tlirough  those  rough  apertures.  The 
horses  were  next  to  be  cared  for,  and.  it  was 
unanimously  agreed  to  lead  them  to  the  opposite 
side  of  the  lake,  where  there  was  good  pasturage, 
and  let  them  shift  for  themselves.  This  proposal 
was  duly  carried  into  effect.  The  finishing 
touches  were  put  to  the  fort,  and  the  Texans 
were  prepared  for  an  enemy.  Their  numbers, 
all  told,  amounted  to  nine — the  captain  and 
lieutenant,  .sLx  Rangeis,  and  Felix.  The  men 
were  in  good  spirits,  and  longed  to  test  the 
superiority  of  their  weapons  over  the  fire-arms  of 
the  "blanketed  nation,"  as  thoy  contemptuous- 
ly called  the  Mexicans. 

In  asserting  that  tlie  men  were  in  good  spirits, 
we  perhaps  ought  to  make  one  excejition.  There 
was  one  among  them,  evidently  advanced  in  life, 
who  had  been  in  many  skirmishes  with  the  In- 
dians, and  who  had  never,  as  tlie  saying  is, 
"  shovra  the  white  feather"  on  any  occasion. 
He  was  a  daring,  iron-sinewed  fellow,  always  the 
first  in  mirth  and  danger.  But  now  the  sound 
of  his  laughter  was  not  heard ;  his  jokes  and 
sallies  of  wit  no  longer  infused  life  into  his  com- 
paniqns  ;  he  worked  on  in  silence.  It  was  in 
5 


vain  that  the  men  rallied  him  ;  they  brought 
forth  no  genial  sparks ;  he  was  deaf  to  all  their 
well  meant  jests. 

When  the  fort  was  completed  he  stood  near 
the  captain,  contemplating  it  with  a  gloomy 
brow. 

"Parker,  you  look  sad.  "What  ails  you, 
manV"  said  Wilson,  laying  his  hand  in  a  famil- 
iar manner  upon  his  shoulder. 

' '  A  strange  feeling  has  fallen  upon  my 
spirits,"  replied  Parker,  in  a  low  tone  of  voice. 
"  Every  time  I  look  at  that  fort  we  have  built, 
I  cannot  shake  off  the  conviction  that  I  am 
looking  at  the  spot  where  my  grave  will  be 
dug." 

"It's  nothing,  my  brave  fellow,  but  hard 
service  and  want  of  rest,"  returned  the  cap- 
tain. "  Sleep  two  hours,  arid  you  will  wake  up 
all  right." 

"  No,  captain,  no  sleep  can  take  away  tlie 
impression  that  my  end  is  fast  approaching.  I 
have  often  heard  of  people  having  such  a  feel- 
ing when  death  was  very  near.  Look  there, 
captain,  where  the  sun-shadow  falls,  across  tlie 
door  of  the  fort ;  at  this  hour,  on  the  morrow, 
it  will  rest  on  the  mound  that  covers  me.  Don't 
think  I  am  afraid,  for  I  am  not.  I  never  was 
a  coward — I  never  was  away  from  my  post 
when  there  was  fighting  to  be  done,  and  never 
shall  be  while  I  can  look  through  the  sights  ; 
so  don't  attribute  this  feeling  to  weakness,  but 
to  the  kindness  of  that  great  Being  who  does 
not  wish  to  remove  a  sinful  human  creature  like 
me  without  warning,  but  gives  him  a  chance  to 
reflect  a  little  on  his  past  life." 

"  It's  very  singular,"  said  Wilson. 

"  I  grant  it,  but  you  will  know  by  this  time 
to-morrow,"  replied  Parker,  arid  the  conversa- 
tion was  dropped. 

Hour  after  hour  passed,  and  the  men  grew 
impatient,  for  there  v.'ere  no  signs  of  an  enemy. 
Both  Cameron  and  Wilson  feared,  they  had 
wasted  valuable  time  in  useless  labor,  and  re- 
solved to  move  forward   in  the  morning,   if  no 


■0 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


enemy  appeared.  Just  before  sunset,  all  tlieir 
doubts  in  regard  to  the  expediency  of  wbat  they 
bad  done,  vanished.  About  an  hundred  mount- 
ed Mexicans  appeared  on  all  sides  of  them,  ex- 
cept that  bounded  by  the  lake.  The  hearts  of 
the  boldest  among  the  Rangers  beat  faster  at 
beholding  such  overpowering  numbers ;  they 
felt,  and  justly,  too,  that  their  case  Wiis  a  des- 
perate one. 

"  Here's  work  for  us,  boys,"  said  Cameron, 
calmly.  "  We  must  fight  or  die,  and  perhaps 
do  both,"  he  added,  in  a  lower  tone  of  voice. 

"  Felix?"  said  Wilson. 

'•  Yes,  massa,"  said  Felix. 


"  Can  you  use  a  rifle  ?" 

"I  caA  'spress myself  in  dat  line." 

"  Well,  here  is  one  ;  it  belongs  to  your  ma.5- 
ter — the  bravest  of  the  brave ;  see  that  you  do 
not  disgrace  it." 

"  Go  yer  death,  massa  Keutuck." 

"  And  you  go  i/ours." 

"  I  shall  'lummate'de  subjeck  ob  matin'  de 
daylight  shine  frougii.  I  shall  fight  like  de 
dcbhil. ' ' 

The  Texan  Rangers  silently  took  their  plactn, 
and  with  then-  trusty  rifles  grasped  firmly  in  their 
hands,  awaited  the  assaults  of  their  enemies. 


CllAI'TER  XIIL 


THE  CARCEL  A*  LARaSO— TlM  MEXICAN  tiiAit)M, 


l„l,.  Vj  left  Ethiiigton  iii  a  ctitical  position. 
\2j1,/  His  fate  seemed  inevitable.  Arrticd 
men  were  drawn  up  in  order  Wore  liim,  who 
waited  but  the  word  of  Command  from  the!ir 
leader,  to  terminate  his  existence  ;  Imt  that  ot* 
der  was  never  given.  The  consultation  among 
the  three  most  prominent  characters  of  the 
group  ended,  and  hasty  preparations  were  made 
for  a  march. 

The  wholo  party  were  soon  in  the  .saddle  and 
moving,  forward  in  the  direction  df  the  Rio 
Grande.  The  sudden  change  in  the  aspect  of 
affairs  surprised  our  hero  not  a  little.  By 
some  strange  dispensation  of  Providence  (for  he 
was  disposed  to  consider  it  providential),  he  had 
been  snatched  from  the  very  jaWs  of  death,  and 
reserved  for  a  destiny  kfiown  only  to  the  great 
Disposer  of  events. 

He  was  placed  on  horseback  with  the  rest, 
and  strongly  guarded.  Wikoff  and  Cogswell 
kept  a  little  In  advance  of  the  cavalcade,  detCT- 
red  either  from  shame  or  some  other  cause  from 
keeping  near  Ethington,  for  whicii  he  was  grate- 
ful ;  as  their  society  would  bate  becu  an    inflic- 


tion he  ccilld  not  have  endured  calinly.  1Viictli-> 
er  Ethington  felt  that  degree  of  gratitude  to  a 
higher  poWer  whifch  most  men  under  similar  cir- 
cuni.?tances  would  have  felt,  wc  are  not  prepar- 
ed to  say ;  bnt  it  is  certain  tbct  the  startling 
incidents  of  the  day  produced  a  long  train  of  re- 
flections which  were  not  without  their  beneficial 
resul'f?  upon  his  mind. 

He  thought  of  Andrea  with  less  bitterness, 
and  bis  whole  being  was  pervaded  bjf  a  more 
forgiving  spirit  towards  her.  He  was  even  dis^ 
posed  to  regret  his  hastiness  in  leaving  her  so 
abruptly,  without  first  Seeking  an  explanation. 
The  many  imperfections  in  his  own  character 
had  never  appeared  so  palpable.  Though  his 
heart  was  softened  by  the  ^pell  of  his  better 
angel,  his  coUrnge  and  natural  energy  W"  charac- 
ter w'«)'e  not  yet  subdued. 

He  felt  within  himself  the  same  energy  fo 
overcame  difficulties,  or  to  meet  a  foe;  that  had 
heretofore  characterized  him  and  given  him  the 
name  (among  his  enemies)  of  the  "  Texan 
Bravo;'*  an  appeHatioft  which,  though  not  en- 
tirely deserved,  could  very  well  be  applied  to 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


him  ;  for  tbe  Texan  soldiery  was  considered  by 
the  Mexicans  as  little  better  than  organized 
bands  of  banditti  and  villaihs,  and  our  hero  the 
njost  daring  and  desperate  among  them. 

While  he  rode  on  in  thoughtful  silence,  he 
often  heard  himself  made  the  subject  of  conver- 
sation by  those  around  him,  and  had  the  honor 
of  knowing  that  he  was  considered  a  dangerous 
man,  and  as  sanguinary  in  his  disposition  as  any 
bravo  that  ever  walked  the  streets  of  Venice  in 
times  long  gone. 

Before  the  expiration  of  the  day,  he  learned 
that  they  were  on  the  way  to  Laredo,  a  ^lexi- 
can  town  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
destined  to  figure  somewhat,  sometime  after,  in 
the  annals  of  the  Mier  expedition. 

Leaving  a  large  post  oak  bog  (in  which  Gen- 
eral Somerville  afterwards  got  mired  with  his 
seven  hundred  and  sixty  men,  horses  and  packs) 
on  the  left,  they  pushed  rapidly  forwaid  and 
reached  Laredo  after  three  days'  travel.  Dur- 
ing this  time  Ethington  was  treated  with  as 
much  kindness  as  he  had  reason  to  expect  from 
such  people.  The  moment  that  they  drew  rein 
at  Laredo,  he  was  thrust  into  a  c<ir<'el,  damp 
and  dirty  as  any  of  its  size  to  be  found  in  the 
interior  of  the  enemy's  cou)itry.  He  was  not 
only  incarcerated,  but  heavily  ironed  and  poorly 
fed.  When  he  had  been  a  few  days  in  the  car- 
cel,  he  was  visited  by  Wikoff  and  the  Alcalde. 
The  former  had  recovered  from  the  effects  of 
the  wounds  he  had  received  at  Bexar,  and  wa.s 
now  ready  to  engage  in  new  schemes,  as  well  as 
to  carry  out  the  plans  which  he  and  Cogswell 
had  concocted  on  the  banks  of  the  Nueces. 

The  threatening  scowl  which  had  always  ap- 
peared upon  his  brow  whenever  he  confronted 
Ethington,  seemed  to  have  grown  deeper  and 
more  menacing  in  its  expression  since  they  last 
met.  w 

''Buenos  dlos,  scnor,"  said  Wikoff,  with 
mock  politeness. 

"  I  hope  you  will  always  speak  that  lan- 
guage," remarked  Ethington. 

"  Why  so,  cahaUero  ?" 

"  Because  you  have  forfeited  all  right  to  your 
mother  tongue,"  replied  our  hero. 


"  Do  you  know  why  I  have  come  to  you  in 
this  carcel  ?" 

"  I  have  no  desire  to  know.'' 

' '  I  will  tell  you ;  I  am  going  to  see  ]Miss  St. 
Aubert." 

"  Indeed  !" 

"  Si,  senor ;  and  that  is  not  all.'' 

"WellV" 

"  I  shall  bring  her  to  Laredo." 

"  If  you  cany 

"  That  will  not  be  difficult.  I  can  do  it  with- 
out consulting  her  wishes,  if  I  choose." 

"  What  shall  you  do  when  you  have  brought 
her  here?"  asked  Ethington,  striving  to  keep 
down  the  indignation  wliich  the  insulthig  man- 
ner of  Wikoff  was  fast  exciting. 

' '  So  shrewd  a  person  as  yourself,  I  should 
think,  might  imagine  the  rest ;  but  a.s  you 
choose  tor  be  so  stupid,  I  will  try  to  aid  your 
perceptions  a  little,"  added  Wikoff,  his  eyes 
sparkling  with  devilish  satisfaction.  "I  shall 
be  wedded  to  Miss  St.  Aubert  upon  the  very 
hour  of  our  arrival,  and  you  shall  witness  the 
ceremony."' 

Ethington  looked  at  his  manacled  hands,  and 
then  at  the  malicious  face  of  Wikoff;  he  was 
regretting  that  his  limbs  could  not  be  at  liberty 
for  one  moment  only. 

Wikoff  seemed  to  divine  his  thoughts,  and 
was  pleased  that  his  taunts  had  the  desired 
effect. 

"I  am  aware,''  he  resumed,  with  provoking 
coolness,  "  that  ycm  have  jourself  aspired  to  the 
honor  of  3Iiss  St.  Aubert's  hand — a  happiness 
which  is  in  reserve  for  me  only.  I  am  a  man 
o{ feeling  ;  I  pity  you,  I'm  sure.  It  will  be  a 
consoling  reflection,  and  serve  to  beguile  the 
tedium  of  a  long  hour,  to  know  that  the  woman 
whom  you  have  loved,  is  about  to  be  wedded  to 
one  who  has  rendered  you  such  important  ser- 
vices as  the  individual  now  before  you  has  had 
the  pleasure  of  doing ;  also  that  the  fair  bride 
will  soon  be  ne^u-you." 

Walter  was  too  full  to  reply.  The  name  of 
Andrea  cjxlled  up  emotions  which  made  him  truly 
wretched.  Every  word  connected  with  her 
stung  him  to  the  quick.     No  species  of  annoy- 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


ance  and  torture  could  have  been  more  success- 
ful than  that  adopted  by  WikofF;  and  the  latter 
perceived  the  fact  and  congratulated  himself 
upon  his  cunning. 

He  left  the  carcel,  well  satisfied  with  the  pain 
he  had  inflicted,  and  resolved  to  render  his  suf- 
fering still  more  intense. 

Although  Walter  had  been  willing  to  believe 
a  short  time  before,  that  Andrea  had  possibly 
given  Wikoff  some  encouragement,  and  perhaps 
some  trifling  mark  of  favor,  a  revulsion  now 
took  place  in  his  mind,  and  he  was  strongly  in- 
clined to  the  opinion  that  he  would  be  obliged 
to  trust  more  to  stratagem  to  bring  about  his 
vfishes,  than  to  the  usual  mode  of  wooing  a  fair  j 
lady. 

Knowing  him  to  be  a  villain,  and  wholly  unfit 
to  be  the  companion  of  one  like  Andrea,  not- 
withstanding her  infidelity  to  himself,  Ethington 
now  felt  an  eager  desire  to  escape  in  order  to 
baffle  him  in  his  designs,  if  for  no  other  reason. 
In  the  event  of  his  effecting  this  object,  if 
he  should  be  able  to  discover  that  Miss  St.  Au- 
bcrt  had  really  entertained  any  friendly  feelings 
towards  him,  he  would  contrive  some  way  to 
warn  her  of  her  danger,  and  thus  discharge  a 
duty  which  he  felt  that  he  should  owe  to  any 
female  similarly  situated. 

Ethington's  unexpected  meeting  with  An- 
drea, had  called  up  many  emotions  which  he  had 
known  in  the  past.  When  the  first  shock  of 
surprise  consequent  upon  that  unexpected  meet- 
ing had  passed  away,  and  he  had  thought  calm- 
ly and  rationally  upon  the  subject,  he  was  quite 
sure  that  he  had  judged  too  hastily  in  regard  to 
any  connection  which  she  might  have  had  with 
WikofF's  object  in  being  near  her  on  tlie  night 
of  the  attack  upon  Bexar. 

Without  pausing  to  notice  the  different 
phases  of  thought  and  feeling  which  agitated 
him  by  turns,  we  will  reiterate  the  fact  that  he 
was  now  fully  determined  to  make  strong  efforts 
to  regain  his  liberty. 

The  next  time  the  turnkey  visited  hun  he 
complained  of  his  chains — that  they  hurt  his 
wrists  and  ankles,  and  needed  to  be  more  skil- 
fully adjusted,  or  changed  for  others  less  objec- 


tionable. By  dint  of  fair  words  he  prevailed 
upon  the  turnkey  to  send  the  blacksmith  to  ex- 
amine the  obnoxious  portions  of  the  chain,  and 
if  he  thought  proper,  to  make  the  desired  alter- 
ation. 

So  much  being  conceded,  he  hoped  he  should 
be  able  to  manage  the  rest  without  difficulty. 
The  smith  came,  and  was  left  with  our  hero. 
"Well,   senor,  what's   wanting?"  he  asked,    - 
throwing  some  of  the  more  common  implements     S 
of  his  trade  upon  the  floor.  For  a  reply,  Ething- 
ton managed  to  get  his  hand  into  his  vest  pock- 
et and  take  out  a  piece  of  money. 

"My  jewelry  does  not  fit  well,"  he  said, 
with  a  significant  smile.  "  You  will  oblige  me 
by  taking  out  those  iron  rivets  and  putting  had 
ones  in  their  places."* 

" /t'Si«,  senor  I"  exclaimed  the  smith,  appa- 
rently horrified  at  the  proposal 

"  It  is  easily  done,"  added  Ethington. 
"Ah,  Bios!"  he    added,    not    forgetting  to* 
pocket  the  money.     "  What  would  be  done  to 
me  if  I  should  be  discovered  !" 

"  There  is  no  need  of  being  discovered,"  con- 
tinued Walter. 

"But  if  they  should  chance  to  come  in  and 
'  catch  you    with    your    chains  off.      Gracios  m 
Dlos!" 

"  That  they  will  not  do  ;  I  will  be  careful." 
"I    should    be  shot  iu  i\iQ  plaza  ;    Si  por 
cierfo^''— yes,  for  certain. 

"  Tonteria — nonsense  ;  you  will  die  in  your 
bed,  with  your  friends  all  around  you.  See  ! 
I  have  more  of  the  dust." 

The  turnkey  entered  and  interrupted  this  in- 
teresting conversation. 

"J/i  Bios!"  cried  the  smith,  protending  to 
examine  the  chains.  "  Those  tlji^gs  must  be 
fi^ed ;  precicoes — it  is  nccessarj«  they  will 
kill  him.  I  will  go  and  get  some  more  suitable 
implements  and  return." 

With  a  significant    wink  at   Ethington,    the 

*  Some  would  bribe  the  blacksmith  to  make  them 
leaden  instead  of  iron  rivets,  which,  when  blackened 
with  charcoal  had  much  the  a];]jcaraiicc  of  iron,  while 
they  could  be  easily  taken  out  or  returned.  One  medio 
woiild  buy  a  leaden  rivet ;  and  lor  some  time  the  ruse 
was  practised. — Mier  Expedition. 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


■worker  in  iron  l<jft  the  carcel — to  come  back 
after  the  lapse  of  hah'^  an  hour,  duly  provided 
w'itli  leaden  rivets,  which  were  properly  placed, 
according  to  our  hero's  wishes. 

It  was  about  dark  when  these  operations  were 
completed,  and  after  receiving  a  liberal  reward, 
the  smith  departed  with  a  pleasant  "  buenos 
noches  " — good  night. 

The  outer  door  of  the  carcel  had  scarcely 
closed  upon  him,  when  Ethington's  jewelry  was 
lying  harmlessl}'-  beside  him.  So  far,  all  had 
gone  well ;  other  steps  were  now  to  be  consid- 
ered, and  he  lay  awake  a  long  time  during  the 
night,  concocting  various  plans  of  escape,  very 
few  of  which,  upon  mature  consideration,  ap- 
peared feasible. 

When  tlie  turnkey  brought  him  his  black 
bread  and  water  the  next  morning,  he  was  still 
undecided.  While  he  was  examining  the  car- 
cel, and  puzzling  his  brains  for  expedients,  a 
Mexican  female  was  ushered  into  his  cell.  The 
turnkey  drew  back,  closed  the  door,  and  the 
two  persons  tlius  left  cara  a  cara,  regarded 
each  other  with  profound  embarrassment. 

The  young  lady  was  very  pretty,  and  wore 
the  silken  ribosa,  that  covered  her  shoulders 
and  neck,  with  charming  grace. 

"Good  morning,  senorita,"  said  Ethington, 
in  the  language  of  the  country,  and  bowing  very- 
low. 

The  bright-eyed  beauty  blushed  like  a  peony, 
and  gathered  her  ribosa  more  closely  about  her 
comely  person. 

"  You  are  an  American  ?"  she  said,  or  rather 
a.sked,  timidly. 

Walter  replied  in  the  affirmative,  and  with 
a  smile  politely  pointed  towards  the  only  scat 
in  tbe  cell. 

''  Ai-e  Miria!'''  she  addel.  glancing  about 
the  little  cell.  "What  a  close  place,  and 
what  irons  they  have  put  upon  you,  senor  I" 

"  They  are  very  ungraceful,  senorita.  Should 
you  be  afraid  of  me,  if  I  were  to  take  them 
offv" 

"No,  senor;"  replied  the  fliir  visitor,  color- 
ing;  "I  think  not — why  should  I?" 

"Sure  enough!  why     should    you!"     said 


Ethington.  "  Now,  fair  donceUa,  tell  me  what 
you  wish  ;  or  more  projjcrly,  the  object  of  your 
visit  V" 

"  Not  to  harm  'you,  senor,"  replied  the 
maiden. 

"  Ah,  I  can  weD  believe  that,"  answered 
Walter.  "  The  heart  of  kind  ^man  is  the 
same  all  over  the  world.  When  she  visits  the 
prisoner,  it  isusually  to  do  the  work  of  an  angel 
of  mercy." 

"  MucMsimas  gracias — thank  you;  it  is- 
kind  of  you  to  say  so.  Do  you  know  any  of 
the  Texan  Rangers?" 

"  I  know  them  well ;  I  have  fought  side  by 
side  with  them  many  a  time." 

"  There  is  one  among  them — " 

The  maiden  hesitated  and  looked  down. 

"  I  read  part  of  your  secret,  I  think.  There 
is  one  among  them  whom  you  know  .''^  added 
Walter. 

"Si,  senor." 

"  Perhaps  he  is  fond  of  3'ou,"  eonfinuod  the 
other,  softly.      "  May  I  ask  his  name  V" 

"  Cameron,"  said  the  maiden. 

"  Lieutenant  Cameron — a  brave  fellow;  and 
he  is  honorable,  too.  If  he  has  made  any  prom- 
ises, he  will  keep  them." 

"  Bacno!'''  said  .she,  and  seemed  well  plea.'^ed. 
"  ]jut  tell  me,  how  you  came  here;  I  will  sit 
down  here  and  listen  very  patiently ;  I  shall 
not  be  tired." 

And  Carmencilo — for  that  was  her  name — 
sat  down  and  remained  quiet,  while  Ethington 
leaned  against  the  wall  and  told  her  how  he  was 
captured,  together  with  some  of  the  priiicip;d 
events  in  his  history. 

"  You  were  at  the  Alamo,  then?" 

"  I  was,  doncella." 

"  Y^ou  saved  a  young  man'.s  life  there  ?" 

"I  did." 

"  That  was  my  brother,"  said  Carmencita. 

"  How  fortunate  that  I  did  so  ;  because  it 
saved  you  so  much  grief." 

"  And  saved  your  life  T' 

"  Y^'es." 

"  And  shall  save  it  again,"  added  Camien- 
eita,  firmly.     "  I  love  him   very   much,    and  I 


THE  TEXxiN  BRAVO. 


am  grateful  to  you,  because  you  saved  bis  life. 
I  am  sorry  tbat  you  are  so  unhappy.  Was  this 
Andrea  you  bave  spolien  of.  so  very  cruel  and 
deceitful  ?'' 

Eihington  sighed  and  remained  silent. 

"  You  look  sad  ;  it  was  very  wrong  of  her  to 
deceive  you.  But  lot  us  think  of  getting  you 
out  of  this  gloomy  carcel." 

"  I  am  not  averse  to  that,  though  having 
formed  so  agreeable  an  acquaintance,  I  am  not 
so  anxious  in  that  respect  as  I  was. 

"  You  may  be  obliged  to  stay  here  some  tune 
yet  to  enjoy  it,"  replied  Carmencita,  with  a 
laugli.  "  But  you  must  be  patient ;  I  may  not 
be  able  to  do  anything  for  you  in  one  day,  or 
two,  perhaps,  yet  you  -are  safe." 

"  I  seem  to  be  safe,"  said  Walter,  looking  at 
the  damp  stone  walls. 

"  Yes,  but  not  in  that  sense.  IVa  shall  be 
at  liberty  before  a  week.  Remember  that  I  am 
vour  friend,  and  protectress.  Colonel  Savrie- 
gro  is  expected  here  daily." 

"And  who  is  Colonel  Savriegro !"  asked 
Walter. 

"  Mi  padre — my  father,"  answered  Carmen- 
cita.    "  Whea  he  returns  to  Laredo,  you  shall 


be  set  at  liberty,    and  before  that    time  if  pof5- 
sible." 


terras,  and  saw,  with  a  sigh,  the  door  of  the 
carcel  shut  out  the  charming  figure  of  his  new 
friend. 

Misanthrope  as  he  had  been,  and  still  was, 
ho  was  not  insensible  to  the  woith  of  the  other 
sex.  He  felt  that  it  was  an  amelioration  of  his 
sufferings  to  liave  the  sympatliy  of  one  gentle 
heart ;  and  if  he  sighed  when  the  dark-eyed 
Carmencita  passed  from  sight,  he  was  sadder 
when  he  could  no  longer  hear  the  light  echo  of 
her  footsteps. 

Musing  upon  the  tones  which  still  lingered 
like  some  sweet  perfume  with  which  the  senses 
had  been  momentarily  regaled,  he  repeated  the 
burning  words  of  England's  noblest  bard  : 

"I  have  not  loved  tlie  world,  nor  the  world  me, — 

But  let  us  part  fair  foes ;  I  do  believe, 
Tliouph  I  have  found  them  not,  that  there  may  be 

Words  which  are  things — hojjes  which  will  not  de- 
ceive, 
And  virtues  which  are  merciful,  nor  weave 

Snares  for  the  fadinjr;  I  would  also  deem 
O'er  others'  griefs  that  some  sincerely  grieve  ; 

That  two.  or  one,  are  almost  what  they  seem — 
That  goodness  is  no  uaiue,  and  happiness  no  dream." 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


RASCALLY    WOULD     Till:    ESCAPE     FROM     THE    CARCEL. 


'^tif^HE  life  of  a  prisoner  is  a  dreary  one  un- 
U  der  the  most  favorable  cli-cunistanoes. 
An  unconquerable  desire  to  be  at  large,  and 
niaster  of  his  own  actions,  takes  possession  of 
him,  and  haunts  him  night  and  day.  He  sighs 
for  the  pure  breezes  and  the  bright  sunshine. 
The  dark  walls  grow  darker  every  hour,  and  his 
chains  more  irksome.  He  envies  the  birds  their 
freedom,  and  sometimes  feels  that  he  would  ex- 
change places  with  the  humblest  insect  that 
creeps  through  the  crevices  of  his  prison. 

Despite  an  occasional  visit  from  Carmcncita, 
"Walter  felt  depressed,  and  a  rapidly  increasing 
desire  to  escape.  The  idea  was  ever  present, 
and  fixed  itself  most  deeply  upon  his  mind,  that 
Andrea  was  in  danger.  He  could  not  exorcise 
this  anxiety  by  reverting  to  her  infidelity  to  him. 
The  truth  that  she  was  still  dear  to  him  could 
not  be  wholly  disguised.  He  owed  her  the  same 
kind  offices  that  he  owed  to  all  Iruman  beings. 
If  she  was  in  danger,  it  was  his  duty  to  warn 
and  save  her,  even  as  he  should  do  for  any 
female  under  heaven.  That  she  was  in  dan- 
ger, he  was  now  fully  convinced  ;  the  threats  of 
WikofF  had  proved  as  much. 


But  he  Avas  in  prison ;  he  could  not  fly  to 
warn  and  aid  her.  Reflections  of  this  nature 
will  serve  to  explain  the  great  secret  of  his  im- 
patience. But  we  would  not  convey  the  idea 
that  he  hoped  aught  from  Andrea;  for  he  did 
not.  To  him  she  was  dead,  and  there  could  be 
no  resurrection. 

One  day  tlie  turnkey  thrust  another  prisoner 
into  his  cell.      His  plea  for   doing  this  ytfis  that    i 
the  carcel  wa.s  full,  and  there  Avas  no    alteniarj|' 
tive.     Ethington  expostulated,  but    it   availed 
nothing. 

"  He  is  a  ver}'  harndess  fellcnv,"  '-aid  tha 
turnkey;  "and  you  will  like  him.  He  is  so 
peaceable  that  I  put  no  irons  upon  him,  you 
see.    Ah,  Dios  !  I  wish  they  were  all  as  docile." 

If  the  new-comer  was  "  docile,"  his  appearance 
greatly  belied  him  ;  for  Walter,  after  a  hasty 
scrutiny,  determined  that  a  more  ugly  looking 
fellow  never  respired  within  the  four  walls  of  a 
prison.  He  was  a  Mexican,  and  seemed  to 
have  been  picked  up  from  among  the  lowest  of 
the  robber  hordes  that  infest  the  dark  valleys 
and  gloomy   mountains  of  3Iexieo.     His  face, 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


77 


that  portion  of  it  not  lost  in  a  wilderness  of 
dirty  black  beard,  was  frightfully  seamed  with 
scars,  received,  he  only  could  tell  where  and 
under  what  circumstances. 

His  apparel  had  been  rich  and  showy  in  its 
day,  with  the  full  complement  of  silver  buttons 
and  red  stuffs  ;  but  its  gaudiness  had  long  since 
passed  away,  and  it  now  exhibited  only  a  large 
amount  of  filth  and  raggedness.  He  had  a 
strong  odor  of  vino  mascal,  and  was  enjoying  a 
clgariUo  at  the  moment  of  his  entry. 

"  Pie's  as  gentle  as  a  lamb,"  added  the  turn- 
key. 

The  fellow  drew  forth  his  cigarillo,  gi-inned 
horribly,  and  bowed. 

"  What's  his  crime?"  asked  Walter,  not  at 
all  liking  the  tout  ensemble  of  his  prison-mate. 

"He  is  suspected  of  holding  treasonable 
communication  with  los  Americanos,'''  said  the 
turnkey,  and  retired. 

The  worthy  gentleman  took  possession  of 
Ethington's  couch  of  straw  without  ceremony, 
and  smoked  away  at  the  stump  of  his  cigarillo 
with  admirable  nonchalance,  eyeing  our  hero  all 
the  while  with  much  attention. 

"  Will  you  have  a  cigarro  .?"  he  asked. 

Walter  declined  the  proffered  civility. 

"  Ah  !  lo  que  es  el  miindo!  ah,  what  is  the 
world?"  he  exclaimed,  in  a  sentimental  way, 
though  in  a  voice  far  from  musical.  "It's  a 
miserable  world,"  he  added,  "a  very  rascally 
world." 

"  Perhaps,  so,"  replied  Walter. 

"  I  know  it  is,"  resumed  the  fellow;  "I 
shouldn't  be  here,  if  it  were  not  so ;  no  se, 
senor." 

From  the  instant  Ethington  saw  this  man,  he 
had  felt  a  conviction  within  him  that  his  object 
in  coming  there  was  not  a  good  one ;  that  (to 
be  plain)  some  evil  was  meditated  against  him- 
self. His  sinister  expression,  a  certain  villanous 
twinkle  in  the  eye,  his  easy  devil-may-care 
familiarity,  all  tended  to  strengthen  his  suspi- 
cions, and  put  him  upon  his  guard. 

"  I  have  heard,  senor,  that  you  are  a  des- 
jKirate  fighter,"  he  remarked,  after  a  silence  of 
several  minutes. 


Walter  thought  it  best  to  encourage  this  idea, 
and  therefore  replied : 

"  Yes,  I  am  a  match  for  three  Mexicans." 

' '  You  must  be  very  strong.  What  do  you 
eat?"  said  the  new-comer,  with  a  shrag  of  the 
shoulders,  and  a  facetious  expression. 

"  Raw  flesh  !"  answered  Walter,  gi'uffly. 

"  What  kind,  senor  ?" 

"  I  prefer  a  tender  Mexican,"  replied  Wal- 
ter. 

'' Mi  Dios  I"  exclaimed  the  fellow,  with  a 
scowl.  ''Los  Americanos  are  cannibals! 
Well,  I  have  heard  so.     Do  you  love  to  fight?" 

"Prodigiously!"  said  Walter.  "  If  these 
chains  were  off,  I  should  like  to  try  it  with 
you." 

His  prison-mate  perpetrated  a  strange  laugh 
resembling  the  gi'owl  of  a  young  bear. 

Walter's  suspicions  were  now  fully  awakened, 
and  he  resolved  to  watch  the  Mexican  closely. 
In  order  to  do  so,  when  he  believed  himself 
unobserved,  he  closed  his  eyes  after  a  little 
time,  and  feigned  sleep.  The  prisoner  address- 
ed him,  but  Ethington  made  no  reply. 

"I  have  fought  in  various  places,  senor," 
he  said  ;  but  there  was  no  response. 

"I  have  received  my  share  of  wounds,  too. 
I  have  deserved  well  of  my  country,  and  you 
see  how  I  am  rewarded.  As  I  said  before,  it  is 
a  rascally  world. " 

Walter's  breathing  was  deep  and  natural. 
His  chest  heaved  as  a  sleeping  person's  chest 
should  ;  but  his  eyes  were  not  quite  shut.  It 
was  near  the  hour  of  night ;  the  su^n's  beams 
were  receding  rapidly  from  the  prison,  and  made 
but  a  faint  track  of  light  across  the  bars  of  the 
grated  windows.  The  first  mist  of  twilight  came 
stealing  in. 

"  You  are  bad  company,  senor ;  I  believe  you 
are  sleeping."  Our  hero  respu-ed  heavily,  and 
made  a  slight  spasmodic  movement,  as  sleeping 
persons  are  apt  to  do. 

The  man  laid  aside  his  sombrero,  which 
he  had  worn  till  now,  threw  aside  the  short 
stump  of  his  cigarro,  and  scrutinized  Walter's 
features  particularly.  As  he  bent  forward  to 
get  a  better  view,  the  latter  perceived  the  ban- 


78 


THE  TEXAN  BRAYO. 


die  of  a  small  dagger  concealed  beneatli  his 
frock.  Suspicion  now  deepened  into  a  convic- 
tion amounting  almost  to  certainty.  Walter 
yawned  heavily,  and  brought  his  hands  into  a 
position  where  he  could  suddenly  cast  off  the 
iron  clasps  from  his  wrists. 

The  new-comer  relapsed  instantly  into  a  list- 
less posture;  but  when  our  hero  feigned  to 
elumber  soundly  again,  his  former  vigilant  ex- 
pression returned.  He  arose  noiselessly  to  his 
feet,  and  laid  his  hand  upon  his  breast  over  the 
dagger.  But  he  hesitated ;  a  certain  kind  of 
fear  seemed  to  hold  him  fast  and  root  him  to 
the  spot. 

Possibly  the  reports  which  he  had  heard  of 
the  strength  and  courage  of  the  man  before  him 
made  him  falter  in  his  purpose.  The  strange 
words  of  Walter  himself  might  have  had  their 
effect.  The  natural  ferocity  of  hLs  nature  began 
to  triumph  over  his  scruples.  Before  him  was 
work  in  keeping  with  the  events  of  his  past  life. 
To  him  there  was  an  excitement  in  the  shed- 
ding of  human  blood  that  possessed  an  infernal 
charm.  He  gi-asped  the  weapon  whose  silver 
hilt  peeped  from  his  bosom  and  glistened  in  the 
feeble  light.  His  massy  chest  wiis  agitated  with 
the  powerful  emotions  at  work  within  him,  and 
Walter  could  discern  its  unnatural  heavings. 
His  nostrils  dilated  ;  his  lips  were  compressed 
upon  the  teeth  ;  his  eyes  flashed  like  glowing 
furnaces.  He  thrust  one  foot  forward,  and 
stood  on  tip-toe.  The  weapon  wa.s  drawn  forth, 
another  step  was  made,  and  the  assa-ssin's  breath 
was  concentrated  in  his  lungs  for  the  fatal 
stroke. 

Walter  suddenly  arose  to  his  feet,  grasped 
his  chains  firmly  in  his  hands,  swung  them  aloft, 
and  brought  them  down  upon  the  head  of  the 
villain  with  all  the  power  of  his  muscular  arms. 

The  effect  was  instantaneous  and  decisive. 
The  assassin  was  crushed  to  the  floor  with  the 
force  of  the  shock,  and  lay  motionless  and  sense- 
less. The  weight  of  the  chains,  and  the 
strength  applied,  might  have  prostrated  a  wild 
buffalo  upon  the  prairies. 

Ethington  immediately  transferred  his  irons 
to  his  fellow-prisoner,  and  secured  him  as  effec- 


tually as  he  could.  While  he  was  performing 
this  friendly  office,  a  small  whistle  rolled  from 
the  pocket  of  the  Mexican. 

"  No  doubt  this  has  called  your  fellow- rogues 
together  many  a  time,"  said  Walter,  taking  it 
from  the  floor.  "  Perhaps,"  he  added,  after  a 
little  reflection,  "  I  may  make  it  useful." 

The  assassin  began  to  show  signs  of  life,  and 
Walter  thrust  a  handkerchief  into  his  mouth  to 
keep  him  quiet.  He  th^n  divested  him  of  his 
frock  or  tunic,  in  the  best  way  he  could,  with  the 
assistance  of  the  dagger.  He  transferred  the 
garment  to  his  own  person  ;  and  shortly  after 
the  trowsers,  silver  buttons,  grease  and  all, 
changed  owners  in  a  similar  manner,  while  the 
broad  sombrero  graced  his  brows. 

The  assassin  now  gave  indications  that  he  was 
sensible  of  what  was  taking  place.  He  attempt- 
ed to  arise,  but  was  disagreeably  bafilcd  by  the 
jewelry. 

'•  This  is  a  bad  world,  senor.  a  very  rascalh/ 
world r''  said  Walter,  quoting  the  language  of 
his"  docile  "  friend. 

"  People  are  so  ungrateful !"  added  Vralter. 
"  See  what  you  get  by  serving  your  friends  ! 
Ah,  capitan,  the  world  is  full  of  ingratitude  !" 

The  man  shook  his  fetters  desperately,  and 
growled  down  his  throat. 

"  I  hope  your  employers  paid  you  something 
beforehand,  for  I  dare  say  they  would  noi 
scruple  to  cheat  such  a  peaceable  fellow  as  your- 
self. I  hope,  also,  that  you  saw  a  priest  before 
you  came  on  this  ugly  business.  I  aon  strongly 
tempted  to  try  this  dagger's  edge.  You  would 
oblige  me  by  indicating  the  precise  spot  where 
that  organ  representing  the  human  affections  Is 
supposed  to  be  located." 

By  close  scrutiny,  Walter  was  able  to  per- 
ceive that  the  villain  was  excessively  terrified, 
really  believing  that  his  last  hour  was  come ; 
for  in  his  opinion  a  desperate  fellow,  like  the 
"  Texan  Bravo,"  would  not  pass  over  so  good 
an  opportunity  to  gratify  his  sanguinary  di^poai- 
tion.  He  would  have  begged  humbly,  abjectly 
for  his  life,  had  his  tongue  been  at  his  com- 
mand ;  but  as  it  wa.s,  he  could  only  lift  up  his 
manacded  hands  in  mute  entreaty. 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


79 


AValter  now  resolved  to  make  an  experiment 
which  possibly  might  be  the  means  of  regaining 
bis  liberty,  and  perhaps,  on  the  contrary,  might 
add  to  the  rigor  of  his  imprisonment.  He  placed 
the  whistle  to  his  lips  and  blew  a  shrill  blast. 
In  a  short  time  he  heard  steps  approaching,  and 
presently  the  door  of  his  cell  was  opened  by  the 
turnkey. 

Vv^ alter  drew  the  sombrero  over  his  eyes,  and 
jostled  him  in  such  a  manner,  while  he  was  en- 
tering, as  to  knock  the  light  from  his  hand. 

"  It  is  done,"  ho  whispered,  "  let  us  go." 

"  Jesu,  senor  !  So  soon?"  exclaimed  the 
turnkey. 

"Yes,  it  is  all  over;  come  away,"  and 
Ethiiigton  caught  him  by  the  arm,  and  hurried 
him  along  the  corridor  of  the  carcel  towards  the 
little  court  opening  upon  the  street.  They 
stood  before  the  large  door  of  the  prison ;  the 


keeper  fumbled  in  his  girdle  for  the  key  ;  but,  it 
being  totally  dark,  tried  several,  before  he  found 
the  right  one.  They  passed  into  the  court,  and 
a  gate  was  yet  to  be  opened. 

"  Was  it  easily  done  ?"  asked  his  conductor, 
as  he  placed  a  key  in  the  lock. 

"Quite,"  said  Walter.  "One  blow,  and 
all  was  over." 

"Life  is  short,"  moralized  the  keeper. 

"  Very,  and  ohangeful,  too,"  answered  Wal- 
ter. 

The  key  had  already  turned  in  the  lock  of 
the  outer  gate,  when  the  first  rays  of  the  moon, 
which  had  just  arisen,  fell  across  Walter's  face. 

*' Ah,  Dios!  whom  have  wc  here?"  exclaim- 
ed the  keeper. 

For  a  reply,  Walter  knocked  him  down,  and 
pushing  open  the  gate,  ran  from  the  carcel  as 
fa.st  as  possible. 


CHAPTER  XV 


THE    ATTACK    ON    THE    FORT. 


'^'fPHE  niglit  drew  on  apuce  and  flung  its 
U  silent  shadows  over  the  land  of  the 
"  Lone  Star."  Prairie,  lake  and  chapparel 
were  wrapped  in  the  dreamy  mists  of  the  hour. 
The  gentle  winds  had  departed  with  the  sun, 
and  left  the  leaves  at  rest.  The  wild  melody  of 
birds  floated  no  longer  upon  the  fragrant  air. 
The  little  lake  near  the  fort  seemed  to  slumber 
in  the  stillness. 

"Men,"  said  Wilson,  "  a  serious  contest  is 
before  us.  But  wc  are  well  protected  by  these 
rough  yet  firm  walls  of  wood.  We  have  for  a 
long  time  been  trained  to  war,  and  each  of  us 
knows  what  is  required  of  him  in  a  case  like 
this.  In  our  hands  we  hold  the  weapons  which 
have  sent  terror  among  our  enemies  more  than 
once.  No  men  living  understand  the  art  of 
using  them  better  than  we.  The  Texan  Ran- 
gers are  well  known  and  dreaded,  and  we  will 
not  throw  a  stigma  upon  their  well-earned  repu- 
tation. Yonder  you  can  discern  the  bivouac  of 
our  foes  ;  they  are  cowards  when  matched  with 
equal  numbers,  and  revengeful  when  the  superi- 
ority of  numbers  gives  them  an  advantage.    They 


will  destroy  us  to  a  man,  if  they  can,  and  the 
fate  of  the  defenders  of  the  Alamo  and  of  Goliad 
tells  us  what  we  may  expect.  Let  us  remember 
that  we  were  at  San  Jacinto,  and  do  our  duty 
to  the  last.  Surrender,  we  will  not ;  I,  for  one, 
would  sooner  perish  where  I  stand." 

"  And  I  also,"  said  Cameron  ;  "  and  I  also," 
responded  every  one. 

'•  Shall  we  wait  for  them  to  attack  us  ?"  ask- 
ed Wilson ;  "or  shall  we  give  them  a  taste  of 
our  metal ;  they  are  within  reach  of  us,  as  you 
will  perceive." 

"  Perhaps  we  had  better  keep  quiet  until 
they  make  a  demonstration,"  replied  Cameron. 

"They  are  preparing  to  do  it  now,"  return- 
ed Wilson.  "  See,  a  small  party  have  mountr 
ed  their  mustangs  to  see  what  they  can  make  of 
us  at  a  nearer  point  of  view.  They  are  armed 
with  carbines  and  escopetas,  I  should  judge. 
They  hope  the  darkness  will  render  their  bodies 
rather  indistinct  marks  for  our  rifles.  They 
expect  to  draw  our  fire  at  but  little  personal 
hazard,  and  thus  determine  our  strength." 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


81 


"  Tkat  is  no  doubt  their  intention,"  replied 
Cameron. 

"  See  if  you  can  count  them,"  added  the 
captain.  * 

"  There  are  about  fifteen  advancing.  I  won- 
der how  many  empty  saddles  will  return ;  it 
would  be  interesting  to  know.  I  wish  the  moon 
would  hurry  up.  How  still  it  is  ;  such  a  Imsh 
as  this  frequently  precedes  storms.  I  would 
give  something  to  know  what  those  fellows  are 
thinking  of.  Perhaps  the  fear  of  death  has  al- 
ready fallen  upon  some  of  them  with  all  its  chill- 
ing mystery."  !. 

Parker,  who  was  standing  near  Cameron, 
turned  towards  him  with  a  strange  though  quiet 
smile,  faintly  discernible  in  the  feeble  light 
which  crept  in  through  the  pierced  walls. 

"  I  should  think  they  might  feel  some  dismal 
foreVodings.  If  there  are  indeed  presentiments 
they  should  have  them ;  for  they  are  so  near 
their  dissolution,"  added  Wilson,  impressively, 
"  that  the  angel  of  death  might  crusli  them  with 
his  wings  as  he  flies  over." 

"  I  will  pick  off  the  leader,"  said  Cameron. 
"  Good  heavens  !  how  tardy  the  moon  is  !" 

"  We  can  see  well  enough  to  answer  our  pur- 
pose, I  think.  Now,  men,  see  if  you  can  cover 
an  object  with  your  steel  barrels.  Let  your 
bf triers  speak  up  sharp  and  disturb  the  diges- 
tion of  some  of  those  fellows  !  Cameron,  give 
yonder  chap  an  ounce  and  a  half." 

"It  shall  be  done,  captain,"  said  the  lieu- 
tenant. 

"Go  yer  death,  massa  Kentuck,"  added 
Felix. 

"I  can  cover  him,"  added  Cameron. 

"  Then  give  it  to  him." 

A  single  report  broke  the  silence ;  the  fore- 
most saddle  was  emptied,  the  party  drew  sud- 
denly up  and  were  motionless  for  a  brief  space  ; 
but  that  brief  space  was  enough.  The  Rangers 
instantly  pounced  in  their  fire,  with  what  effect 
they  could  not  well  judge  ;  for  the  darkness  of 
the  hour  and  the  smoke  served  to  cover  the 
retreat  of  the  survivors ;  but  it  was  quite  cer- 
tain from  the  speed  with  which  they  retwrncd  to 


their  companions,  that  their  ammunition  had  not 
been  wasted. 

This  prompt  and  probably  unexpected  re- 
pulse checked  the  ardor  of  the  assailants  for  the 
time  being,  and  the  Rangers  began  to  believe 
that  they  shouldn't  be  molested  again  during 
the  night,  but  they  were  doomed  to  disappoint- 
ment. Just  before  the  dawn  of  day  there  was 
a  general  assault  upon  the  fort.  Advancing  upon 
all  sides,  save  that  towards  the  lake,  they  dis- 
charged their  carbines,  and  received  the  fire  of 
the  Texans.  Some  of  them  reached  the  fort 
and  clambered  upon  its  flat  roof;  others  passed 
them  up  dry  sticks  and  every  combustible  mate- 
rial that  they  could  obtain.  After  several  at- 
tempts, a  dense  smoke  curled  up  from  the  roof, 
and  presently  a  flame,  which  soon  streamed  up 
into  the  skies,  reflecting  fiintastic  shadows  upon 
the  lake. 

During  the  tunc  occupied  in  producing  this 
result,  the  Rangers  had  not  been  idle  ;  they 
had  employed  their  weapons  with  deadly  effect ; 
but  the  darkness  that  is  always  the  precursor  of 
day,  proved  their  enemy. 

"They  can't  reach  us,"  said  Wilson,  "un- 
less they  burn  us  out,  and  these  logs  are  too 
green  to  afford  them  much  chance  of  that." 

"  They  beg-in  to  give  back,"  remarked  Cam- 
eron. "  The  Texan  i-ifles  terrify  them.  Hark! 
what  was  that  ?" 

"  I  heard  nothing  new,"  replied  Wilson. 

"  I  smell  fire  !"  exclaimed  Cameron.  "  Look 
up  !  they  have  kindled  a  fire  over  our  heads. 
The  infernal  heathen  wish  to  burn  us  alive." 

"  Keep  cool — they  can't  do  it!"  cried  Wil- 
son. "  The  logs  are  too  wet  to  burn — it  will 
go  out  of  itself.  Give  it  to  them,  men — ^be 
lively — blaze  away  wherever  you  see  their 
heads — be  sure  that  every  shot  tells." 

"The 'Lone  Star'  forever!"  shoutod  the 
Rangers. 

W' ilson  paused  and  looked  anxiou-nly  up  ;  the 
fire  was  indeed  spreading. 

"  I  thought  it  was  too   gi'eeu  to   burn,"  he 
observed,  while  a  painful  shade  of  anxiety  cross- . 
ed  his  face. 


82 


THE  TEXAN  BRAYO. 


"  Green  wood  makes  the  hottest  fire  when 
fairly  started,"  said  the  lieutenant.  "They 
have  kindled  it  with  dry  sticks  and  bark." 

"Lookaheah,  massa  Kentuck,"  observed 
Felix.  "  Jest  let  dis  darkey  feller  out,  and 
he'll  fix  de  fii-e  in  no  time,  and  perhaps  less  dan 
dat." 

"  Nonsense,  FelLx  !  they'll  fix  you,  more 
likely,"  returned  the  captain. 

"  I  isn't  a  good  mark,  massa  cap'en,"  he 
answered. 

"  And  why  not?"  asked  "Wilson. 

"  'Kase  Fs  so  near  de  cuUor  ob  de  night," 
rejoined  the  African. 

"  Tliey'U  see  the  whites  of  those  two  eyes," 
remarked  Cameron. 

"  I  wasn't  'dressin'  myself  to  you,"  said 
Felix,  with  dignity. 

"  I  fear  to  let  you  venture  out,"  added  the 
captain. 

"  I'll  'spress  myself  and  luminate  de  nature 
ob  de  subjeck  ;  I'd  rudder  be  shot  dan  to  burn, 
massa  Kentuck  ;  dat  is  de  pccooliar  state  ob  my 
indervidooal  senterments." 

"  What  can  you  do  out  there,  Felix?"  asked 
Wilson,  after  looking  again  anxiously  at  the 
flames,  which  were  fast  increasing  in  volume. 

"  Frow  off  de  combustionable  sticks,  and 
pitch  de  Mexicumsto  de  debbil,"  replied  Felix, 
fii-mly.  "  Now  open  de  door  and  let  me  out 
quick,  for  de  flames  begin  to  promulgate  like 
tinder." 

Wilson  cast  one  more  hurried  glance  upward, 
and  then  said  : 

"  Gro,  and  if  you  are  killed,  we  shall  lo^e  one 
of  the  best  niggers  in  the  world." 

"  Let  me  look  out  in  that  direction  before 
you  unbar  the  door,"  said  Cameron.  "  Now's 
your  time — all  clear — let  him  out,"  he  added, 
immediately. 

"Ay!"  said  Wilson — "open  it  is — go  it, 
Felix." 

"  Go  yer  death  !"  cried  the  latter,  and  dash- 
ed out  into  the  open  air  where  the  bullets  were 
flying  like  hailstones.  In  a  moment  he  had 
grasped  the  ends  of  the  projecting  logs,  and 
drawn  himself  to  the  roof.     Two  of  the  enemy 


were  still  there,  feeding  the  flames  with  dry 
sticks  and  bark  which  their  comrades  threw  up 
to  them.  The  African  sprang  towards  them 
with  ii-resfttible  fury ;  one  he  felled  with  his 
fist,  and  the  other  he  caught  in  his  athletic 
arms  and  threw  from  the  roof  as  he  would  have 
thrown  a  billet  of  wood  ;  another  moment  and 
he  was  scattering  the  blazing  brands  in  all  direc- 
tions. 

A  loud  shout  aro.ee  from  the  Jlexicans,  and 
a  shower  of  balls  whistled  about  him  as  he  spun 
the  flaming  materials  away  with  his  foot.  The 
task  was  done  ;  the  negro  swung  his  old  hat  in 
the  air — shouted   at  the  top  of  his  voice  : 

"  Go  yer  death,  yer  debbils  !"  leaped  down 
and  was  instantly  pulled  into  the  fort  by  Wilson 
and  Cameron. 

"  Heaven  bless  your  woolly  head  !"  exclaim- 
ed the  captain.  "There's  considerable  of  the 
Kentucky  alligator  about  you,  after  all.  You're 
a  brave  darkey,  and  I'll  bear  that  in  mind." 
"  'Spress  yerself — pile  it  on,"  said  Felix. 
It  being  near  dawn,  the  enemy  made  no 
farther  attempts  to  fire  the  fort,  but  kept  up  a 
continual  discharge  of  carbines  and  cscopcta.s, 
covering  themselves  as  much  a.s  possible  beliinJ 
trees,  rocks  and  shrubbery  to  guard  again. st  the 
fatal  effects  of  the  Texan  rifles.  The  chap[)arel 
served  their  purpose  very  well,  and  the  firing 
was  most  frequent  in  that  direction.  Occasion- 
ally a  bullet  would  find  its  way  through  a  cre- 
vice, and  its  strength  being  spent,  roll  harm- 
lessly upon  the  ground,  or  strike  the  opposite 
wall  with  feeble  force. 

The  Rangers  were  impatient  for  the  daylight, 
that  they  might  use  their  weapons  with  more 
fatal  results.  The  darkness  melted  away  before 
the  approaches  of  the  sun.  The  red  light  swept 
along  from  the  ruddy  east,  and  revealed  the 
scene  of  the  contest. 

Several  figures  were  discovered  lying  upon 
the  earth  whose  eyes  received  no  light,  and 
whose  bodies  felt  no  warmth  from  the  dazzling 
beams.  They  had  fallen  in  the  conflict ;  their 
ears  were  deaf  to  all  earthly  sounds,  and  the 
passions  which  had  hurried  them  to  their  fate 
were  extinguished  forever. 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


83 


Parker  stood  near  Wilson  reloading  liis  rifle, 
which  he  had  just  discharged^,  The  latter  turn- 
ed to  the  former  with  a  good-natured  smile  : 

"  Yon  see  that  jour  presentiments  amounted 
to  nothing,"  he  remarked.  "  I  hope  you  feel 
quite  well  nowV" 

"It  is  not  noon  yet,"  was  the  calm  reply. 
"If  I  should  fall,  bui-y  me  here,  and  say  to  my 
fricuds  that  I  did  my  duty," 

Parker  ceased  speaking,  and  threw  his  ram- 
rod upon  the  ground.  In  the  very  act  of  plac- 
ing a  cap  upon  the  tube,  a  bail  struck  him  upon 
the  breast ;  he  staggered,  and  Wilson  cauglit 
him  as  he  was  falling. 

"  It's  in  my  lungs,"  said  Parker. 

The  captain  tore  open  his  vest,  and  the  blood 
was  bubbling  slowly  from  a  wound  in  the  right 
breast.  Wilson  had  seen  many  wounded  men, 
and  knew  by  the  peculiar  red  color  of  the  vital 
current  that  it  came  from  the  lungs. 

"Don't  mind  me,"  added  Parker.  "You 
can  employ  yourself  better ;  it's  of  no  use.  I 
knew  it  would  come  to  this." 

The  kind-hearted  ranger  did  what  he  could  to 
Btaunch  the  blood,  but  it  was  a  vain  attempt. 
He  placed  some  blankets  under  him,  then  re- 
tui'ned  to  his  post  and  encouraged  the  men,  who 
were  endeavoring  to  pick  off  those  who  had 
taken  a  position  in  the  chapparel.  It  was  cer- 
tain death  to  him  who  exposed  his  person  ;  an 
unseen  messenger  was  sure  to  find  him. 

In  a  short  time  Wilson  was  by  Parker's  side 
again.  He  was  suffering  intense  pain  ;  at  every 
respiration  the  blood  welled  forth  afresh. 

"How  do  you  find  yourself V"  asked  the 
captain. 

"  It  goes  hard  with  me,"  said  Parker. 

"  Do  you  feel  as  though  you  were  going?" 
continued  Wilson,  taking  his  companion's  hand. 

"  Sinking  fast,"  murmured  Parker.  "  I  suf 
fer  much — I  had  hoped  to  have  gone  easier." 

"  Can  I  do  anything — do  you  feel  prepared?" 
added  the  captain. 

"  As  well  prepared,  perhaps,  as  if  I  had 
been  peimittcd  to  live  longer.  War  is  not  a 
trade  that  fits  one  for  heaven,"  was  the  reply, 
spoken  with  much  effort. 


"  Yoa  have  fought  for  your  country,"  said 
Wilson. 

"  Ye.s,  in  the  past ;  but  noio  I  am  fighting 
with  an  enemy  that  cannot  be  coni;[uered,"  re- 
plied Parker. 

"  The  angel  of  death  is  strong,"  said  the 
ranger,  wiping  his  eyes. 

"  Yes,  he  tears  me,"  added  the  dying  man, 
painfully  convulsed.  "  His  fingers  are  at  work 
here — here," — laying  his  hand  upon  his   chest. 

Cameron  now  drew  near,  and  leaning  on  the 
barrel  of  his  rifle,  looked  sadly  upon  the  face  of 
his  comrade  in  arms. 

"  You  see  how  it  is,"  said  Parker,  in  a  faint 
%'oicc.  "  I  am  paying  the  last  debt ;  I'm 
bound  to  the  unknown  country  ;  the  last  enemy 
is  pressing  hard  upon  me." 

"  We  are  sorry  to  part  with  you,"  replied 
Cameron,  solemnly. 

For  a  short  time  the  dying  ranger  was  unable 
to  speak,  and  the  angel  tugged  away  at  his  brave 
heart.  He  then  raised  himself  upon  his  elbow 
and  spoke  again : 

"  I'm  going  on  the  long  march,"  he  added  ; 
"  a  road  which  all  the  world  must  march  over. 
I  hear  the  tattoo  of  death ;  I  go  to  my  last 
quarters  !     God  bless  you — -farewell. ' ' 

Parker  feebly  pressed  the  hands  of  his  com- 
panions, his  lips  moved  as  if  in  prayer — he 
looked  at  Wilson,  smiled,  and  joined  the  great 
army  which  no  man  can  number. 

An  hour  before  noon  they  buried  him  there, 
and  the  sun  at  his  meridian  crept  in,  and  his 
beams  lay  across  the  grave. 

The  ^nemy  having  lost  many  of  their  num- 
bers, observed  much  caution  in  their  offulisive 
operations  during  the  day,  but  upon  the  ensuing 
night  several  determined  assaults  were  made, 
which  were  promptly  repelled  by  the  Texans. 
Attempts  were  also  made  to  fire  the  fort,  but 
providentially  their  purpose  was  baffled  by  a 
shower.  Finding  that  they  gained  nothing  by 
this  mode  of  warfare,  the  Mexicans  now  resolved 
to  reduce  the  brave  band  by  famine. 

But  little  was  now  done  on  either  side,  and 
the  assailants  waited  patiently  for  hunger  to 
perform  what  mere  force  of  arms  could  not. 


84 


THE  TEXAN  BRAYO. 


The  Rangers  saw  witli  feelings  of  the  deep- 
est solicitude  tlieir  little  stock  of  provisions 
wasting  rapidly  away,  and  finally  disappear. 
Their  new  enemy  was  now  the  most  formidable. 
They  began  to  suffer  from  hunger  and  thirst, 
more  particularly  the  latter. 

"  Something  must  be  done,"  said  Captain 
Wilson  one  day  to  Cameron.  "  Our  brave  fel- 
lows begin  to  suffer." 

"I  know  it,"  replied  the  lieutenant ;  "and 
I  have  thought  of  a  plan  which  may  perhaps 
succeed." 

"  Let  us  hear  it,"  replied  the  other. 

"It  is  this,"  said  Cameron.  "  When  it  bo- 
comes  dark  to-night,  I  will  leave  the  fort  and 
endeavor  to  make  my  way  to  the  other  side  of 
the  lake  where  we  left  our  horses.  If  fortune 
favors  me,  I  shall  reach  Bexar  and  bring  you 
relief.  A  few  shots  from  our  gallant  boys  would 
disperse  yonder  cowards  like  sheep." 

"  But  the  great  difficulty  of  your  plan  is  to 
leave  the  fort  without  being  shot  down  or  taken. 
They  intend  to  starve  us  out — that  is  evident  ; 
and  they  are  watching  us  as  a  cat  watches  a 
mouse.  It  grieves  me  to  see  a  brave  man  haz- 
ard his  life  in  such  a  way,  for  the  chances  are 
against  you,  ten  to  one." 

' '  I  am  aware  that  it  is  a  liazardous  under- 
taking, captain  ;  but  one  will  be  more  likely  to 
succeed  than  all  of  lis.  I  am  resolved  to  try," 
replied  Cameron. 

"  No,  1  will  go.  I  planned  this  expedition  ; 
I  have  led  you  and  our  companions  in  arms  into 
danger,  and  it  shall  be  mine  to  make  an  attempt 
to  extricate  them,"  said  Wilson. 

"  I  will  not  consent  to  it,"  replied  Cameron, 
earnestly.  "  I  claim  the  right  to  incur  the  risk. 
Remember  Marianna." 

"I  have  thought  of  her,"  answered  the  cap- 
tain. "  And  there  is  a  name  you  have  spoken 
which  I  have  not  forgotten." 

"  Yes,  Garmencita  ;  but  her  remembrance 
must  not  deter  me  from  duty ;  it  should  rather 
stimulate  me  to  acts  of  heroism,"  rejoined  the 
lieutenant. 

Perceiving  that  Cameron  was  fully  bent  upon 
putting  his  plan  into  execution,  Wilson  cease^l 


to  press  the  subject  farther,  and  when  the  night 
came,  the  former  made  preparations  to  go  forth 
on  his  mission. 

"This  rifle,"  said  Cameron,  when  ready  to 
make  the  attempt,  "  I  will  leave  with  you  ;  for 
if  anything  should  happen  to  me,  I  should  not 
like  to  have  it  fall  into  the  hands  of  our  ene- 
mies ;  it  has  done  too  mucb  good  service  ta 
merit  such  a  fate.  I  will  take  this  weapon  that 
belonged  to  poor  Parker.  Now,  my  lads,  let  us 
shake  hands  all  round,  for  perhaps  we  may 
never  meet  again." 

"It  is  u.seless  to  tell  you  to  be  cautious," 
said  the  captain,  "for  I  know  you  will  exer- 
cise all  the  prudence  that  mortal  man  can.  If 
you  shouldn't  be  successful,  and  we  should 
never  see  your  face  again  in  time,  what  sliall  we 
say  to  Carmencita,  should  wc  happen  to  meet 
her  by  some  singular  chance  ?" 

"That  I  was  true  to  her  to  the  laist ;  that 
will  be  enough  ;  she  will  know  what  it  means," 
he  replied. 

"  Word  for  word,"  re.>;ponded  Wilson. 

"It  is  quite  dark  now  and  I  need  delay  no 
longer." 

The  door  was  opened  cautiou.sly ;  the  manly 
form  of  Cameron  passed  out,  and  all  was  still. 
They  listened  breathlessly,  but  no  sounds  came 
back  to  tell  them  of  theii-  comrade's  fate.  They 
ventured  to  hope  that  he  had  baffled  the  vigil- 
ance of  the  enemy  and  reached  tlie  opposite 
side  of  the  lake  in  safety. 

"  I  think  I  can  see  some  object  in  the  water," 
said  one  of  the  men. 

"  So  can  I,''  said  Felix. 

"Where?"  asked  Wilson. 

The  first  speaker  indicated  the  spot  with  hLs 
finger. 

"I  seel"  exclaimed  the  captain,  energeti- 
cally. "  It's  Cameron  ;  he  is  swimming  across 
the  lake.  His  rifle  is  lashed  upon  his  back,  and 
he  strikes  out  boldly ;  but  I  fear  this  sudden 
burst  of  moonlight  will  betray  liun." 

"He  Ls  still  within  gunshot  of  the  enemy," 
added  tlie  other ;  "  they  could  riddle  him  with 
tlieir  bullets  in  a  moment.'' 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


85 


•'  He's  a  strong  swimmer,"  said  the  captain, 
*'  but  I  fear  the  chances  are  greatly  against  him. 
Hark  !  I  hear  the  centinela  alerta  of  the  senti- 
nels. Cameron  has  gone  down  ;  but  he  breaks 
water  and  appears  above  the  surftice  again.  He 
is  yet  undiscovered  :  I  believe  he  will  suc- 
ceed." 

The  pai'ties  watched  the  brave  swimmer  until 
he  passed  round  a  small  headland  and  was  no 
longer  visible.  From  each  heart  there  went  up 
a  silent  yet  earnest  prayer  for  his  safety. 

In  the  long  catalogue  of  human  miseries  there 
is  none  more  dreadful  than  the  agonies  of  in- 
tense thirst.  The  Rangers  had  already  begun 
to  feel  its  hon'ors ;  lips  were  parched,  tongues 
hot  and  dry.  If  they  slept,  they  saw  in  their 
dreams  delicious  streams  of  water  that  mocked 
their  thirst. 

But  necessity  is  the  mother  of  expedients  ; 
with  such  implements  as  they  had,  the  men  be- 
gan to  dig  a  hole  within  their  narrow  precincts. 
After  much  labor  they  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
the  excavation  gradually  fill  with  dirty  looking 
water ;  but  they  drank  it  eagerly  and  with  grate- 
ful hearts. 

Their  courage  now  revived,  and  the  enemy 
heard  them  cry  viva  la  Texas,  with  an  energy 
that  surprised  them.  "Wilson  declared  that  the 
muddy  liquid  was  the  sweetest  water  he  ever 
drank. 

We  wiU  not  follow  the  devoted  band  step  by 
step  in  the  sufferings  which  they  experienced 
for  the  next  two  days.  We  will  not  describe 
then-  hollow  cheeks  and  sunken  eyes,  nor  paint 
the  inroads  of  hunger  upon  constitutions  natu- 
rally robust.  But  there  were  no  murmurings 
heard.  Stem  resolution  and  defiance  was  writ- 
ten in  legible  characters  upon  every  face.  Each 
spoke  hopefully,  and  no  one  thought  of  sur- 
rendering. Each  remembered  the  fate  of  Tra- 
vis and  Bowie,  Crocket  and  Fannin.  When- 
ever an  enemy  came  within  range,  he  instantly 
covered  the  sight  of  a  Texan  rifle  ;  and  it  was 
next  to  a  miracle  if  he  escaped. 

On  the  night  of  the  second  day  after  the  de- 
parture of  Cameron,  the  assailants  made  a  des- 
perate attempt  to  storm  the  little  fort.  Be- 
6 


lieving  that  the  Texans  must  inevitably  be  m  a 
poor  condition  to  fight,  they  resolved  to  defer 
the  moment  of  triumph  no  longer. 

The  Kentuckian  encouraged  his  companions, 
and  determined  to  beat  them  back  or  j>erish. 
All  was  done  that  the  most  exalted  courage  could 
suggest,  or  the  most  dogged  o])stinacy  inspire. 

The  men  fought  with  the  desperation  of  des- 
pau- ;  but  hunger  had  enfeebled  them,  and  con- 
tinued watching,  anxiety  and  exertion  had 
wasted  their  energies  to  an  alarming  degree. 
None  were  more  daring  or  efficient  than  Felix. 
He  used  his  master's  rifle  with  gi-eat  effect,  and 
manifested  a  spirit  of  determined  bravery. 

"My  friends  and  comrades,"  said  Wilson, 
"the  worst  has  come.  We  must  either  beat 
them  off,  or  never  see  another  sun  rise.  They 
will  probably  overpower  us  at  last ;  but  we  will 
die  here  and  leave  our  bones  to  bleach  beside 
those  of  poor  Parker.  Our  countrymen  will 
not  forget  us,  and  the  Rangers  will  avenge  our 
death.  It  is  not  so  hard  a  thing  to  perish  fight- 
ing for  one's  coimtry  as  cowards  imagine.  The 
good  soldier  rises  superior  to  pain ;  he  feels  but 
one  slight  pang  and  all  is  over." 

"They  are  all  around  us,"  said  one  of  the 
men.  "  We  can  keep  them  out  but  little  lon- 
ger; they  will  either  burst  in  upon  us,  or  burn 
us  up." 

"If  the  Rangers  were  only  here,"  replied 
Wilson. 

"We'll  fight  'em  to  the  death!"  exelauned 
the  other. 

"Here  dey  come  like  de  debbil!"  said  Fe- 
lix.    "  Good-by,  massa  Ken  tuck." 

The  enemy  were  now  attempting  to  force  the 
door.  At  that  instant,  the  surrounding  country 
resounded  with  rifle  shots,  and  the  battle-cry  of 
the  "  Lone  Star  "  drowned  the  shouts  of  the  as- 
sailants, and  found  many  an  echo  among  the 
hills  and  gorges. 

" 'Spress  yerselfl  Go  yer  death!"  cried 
FeUx. 

"The  Rangers,  by  heavens!"  exclaimed 
Wilson.     "  Thank  God,  boys,  we  are  saved." 

"  Does  ye  hear  dat?"  added  Felix,  joyfully, 


86 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


as  volley  after  volley  was  heard  from  the 
Rangers.     "  Dat's  what  does  de  good." 

"Hurra  for  Texans  and  Old  Kentuck !" 
shouted  Wilson. 

"  The  enemy  are  flying  in  all  directions," 
said  one  of  the  men. 

"  Ob  course,"  added  Felix,  positively. 
"  Dey'd  whip  de  debbil !" 

"Here  they  come!"  added  the  captain. 
"  Open  the  door,  men." 

The  door  was  quickly  unbaiTcd ;  the  brave 
fellows  rushed  out  into  the  open  air,  and  em- 
braced their  companions  with  feelings  of  joy  and 
gratitude  that  no  pen  can  describe. 

"Where's  Camei-on?"  cried  Captain  Wil- 
son, as  his  brave  company  came  dashing  up  to- 
wards him. 


"  He's  here,"  said  a  voice,  and  Cameron  him- 
self pressed  forward  and  grasped  the  outstretch- 
ed hand  of  Wilson.  "  I  met  our  noble  lads  on 
the  way,"  he  said.  "  Eidgley  had  already 
warned  them  of  our  danger,  and  they  were  has- 
tening to  our  relief;  but  they  would  not  have 
reached  us  in  time  to  have  been  of  any  service, 
if  I  had  not  fell  in  with  them  and  guided  them 
on  by  the  shortest  and  most  practicable  way. 
You  need  refreshment  and  rest,  and,  thank 
God,  you  can  now  sleep  in  safety!"  he  added, 
glancing  proudly  at  the  Rangers. 

"  Yes,"  answered  Wilson,  with  a  smile  of 
jiride ;  "I  can  now  sleep  in  safety,  for  I  well 
remember  how  the  Texan  Rangers  fought  at 
San  Jacinto,  when  we  punished  Banta  Anna  for 
his  BIOS." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


THE  f  IN  ALE. 


/;#  E  left  Walter  Ethington  running  from 
tlie  carcel.  He  had  not  proceeded  far, 
before  tbe  cries  of  the  turnkey  had  turned  out 
the  guard  and  many  of  the  citizens  of  Laredo. 
Our  hero  was  surrounded  just  as  he  reached  the 
plaza  ;  for  not  being  acquainted  with  localities, 
he  had  taken  the  wrong  direction.  He  prepar- 
ed for  a  determined  resistance  ;  but  the  guard 
were  brought  suddenly  upon  him  at  a  charge 
bayonet,  and  he  was  marched  back  to  the 
carcel. 

As  he  was  conducted  to  his  cell,  he  met  the 
personage  who  had  attempted  his  life.  His  head 
was  bleeding  profusely,  and  he  had  just  been 
relieved  of  the  "jewelry."'  He  favored  our 
hero  with  an  expressive  glance,  and  took  occasion 
to  remark,  with  a  malicious  grin  : 

"  That  it  was  a  very  rascally  world  indeed!" 
As  it  Avas  his  turn  to  triumph,  Walter  bit  his 
lips  with  vexation,  and  made  no  reply.  ■  In  a  few 
moments  he  found  himself  established  in  his  old 
quarters,  and  provided  with  9,  new  set  of  irons 
much  heavier  than  the  former  ones.  It  was  use- 
less to  repine,  and  he  bore  his  disappointment 
with  as  much  stoicism  as  possible. 


Carmencita  did  not  visit  him  for  several  days, 
and  he  began  to  wonder  at  her  long  absence. 
At  length  she  came. 

"I  began  to  think  you  had  forgotten  me," 
he  said,  with  a  smile. 

"  No,  senor  ;  I  seldom  forget  my  promises; 
but  you  began  to  despair,  it  would  seein,  and  so 
tried  to  escape  without  my  assistance,"  she  an- 
swered. 

"  I  attempted  to  regain  my  freedom,"  re- 
turned Walter ;  ' '  and  I  think  you  will  pronounce 
the  trial  excusable,  when  you  learn  that  I  nar- 
rowly escaped  assassination." 

Walter  then  related  the  particulars  of  the  in- 
cident which  led  to  his  futile  endeavor  to  regain 
his  liberty. 

Cai-mencita  was  greatly  shocked  at  hearing 
this,  and  declared  her  determination  to  lay  the 
matter  before  those  whose  business  it  was  to 
look  after  such  things. 

"My  father  has  returned  to  Laredo,"  she 
added  ;  "  and  I  have  obtained  an  order  for  your 
liberation.  In  a  few  minutes  you  will  be  free 
from  those  irons." 


88 


THE  TEXAN  BRAYO. 


While  she  was  speakiug,  the  smith  appeared, 
aiid  relieved  him  of  his  irons. 

"  I  feel  like  a  man  again,"  said  Ethington, 
as  he  spurned  the  irons  away  with  his  foot,  and 
felt  that  he  once  more  had  the  entire  control  of 
his  limbs. 

"  I  sent  information  to  Bexar  Ly  a  trusty 
messenger,"  continued  Carmencita,  "concern- 
ing your  condition.  The  bearer  of  my  message 
was  fortunate  enough  to  meet  those  who  were 
interested  in  your  fortunes.  They  await  you  a 
short  distance  from  Laredo.  You  will  be  con- 
ducted to  them,  and  the  debt  of  gratitude  which 
I  owe  you,  will,  in  some  mea-sure,  be  liqui- 
dated." 

"  Fair  Carmencita,"  replied  Ethmgton, 
"  how  shall  I  express  my  thanks  ?  And  what 
shall  I  say  to  the  brave  Cameron?" 

"  Just  what  you  please,  senor,"  she  answer- 
ed ;  "  except  to  tell  him  that  he  is  not  for- 
gotten." 

"  He  will  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  ;  I  am 
quite  certain  that  I  have  heard  him  speak  your 
name.  Captain  Wilson  used  to  rally  him  about 
a  dark-eyed  senorita,"  said  Walter. 

Taking  his  leave  of  Carmencita  with  many 
expressions  of  esteem  and  professions  of  friend- 
ship, he  was  provided  with  a  mustang,  and  con- 
ducted from  Laredo  with  great  secrecy  and  des- 
patch. 

"  Yonder  are  your  friends,"  said  the  guide, 
after  a  gallop  of  an  hour.  "I  need  go  no 
farther." 

Ethington  rode  forward,  and  in  a  few  mo- 
ments, to  his  surprise,  beheld  the  tall  figure  of 
Ridgley  ;  and  near  him  was  Augustus  Henrie, 
dressed  as  usual,  and  looking  as  foppish  as  ever. 
Our  hero  advanced  and  took  the  extended  hand 
of  Ridgley  without  reserve. 

"Your  efforts  to  serve  me,"  said  Walter, 
"have  disarmed  me  of  prejudice.  I  confess 
Bfyself  your  debtor." 

"The  account  may  be  balanced  at  your  lei- 
sure," replied  Ridgley,  smiling. 

"  In  relation  to  you,  my  young  fnend,"  add- 
ed Walter,  turning  to  Augustus  Henrie,  and 
taking  his  small,  white  hand,  "  I  scarcely  know 


what  to  say.     You  have  served  me  with  singu- 
lar fidelity  and  disinterestedness." 

"  But  never  was  so  fortunate  as  to  be  much 
of  a  favorite,"  replied  the  youth,  with  a  smile. 
"  I  will  be  frank,"  rejoined  our  hero,  with  a 
slight  change  of  color.  "  I  will  confess  that  I 
did  not  formerly  feel  very  friendly  towards 
you." 

"  You  were  inclined  to  think  me  rather  fop- 
pish, I  believe,  Mr.  Ethington,"  returned  Au- 
gustus, good  naturedly. 

"  If  I  were  ever  so  unkind  as  to  do  you  in- 
justice, I  trust  you  will  pardon  me  ;  for  I  regi-et 
my  ingratitude  very  sincerely,"  resumed  Wal- 
ter. 

"  With  pleasure,  sir.  With  my  smooth, 
beardless  face  and  slight  figure,  it  was  perhaps 
natural  that  you  should  think  me  wanting  in 
many  manly  attributes  ;  we -will  let  that  pass." 

"  I  trust  it  will  cure  me  of  the  foolish  habit 
of  judging  by  appearances,"  added  our  hero. 

"  I  cordially  hope  so,"  said  Ridgley,  earn- 
estly;  "for  the  very  habit  has  cau.sed  all  your 
unhappinoss." 

"  You  aljudc  to  Andrea  St.  Aubcrt,"  re- 
plied Ethington,  quickly,  and  with  less  cor- 
diality. "  Upon  that  subject  you  know  we 
never  agree." 

' '  I  have  heard  that  you  once  loved  my  cousin 
Andrea,"  rejoined  Augustus. 

"  You  heard  truly,  my  good  youth.  I  loved 
her  most  devotedly ;  but  do  me  the  justice  to 
believe  that  I  would  not  have  bnjken  off  the  con- 
nection without  sufficient  cause." 

"  I  have  never  sought  your  confidence,"  said 
Ridgley,  "but  I  ask  you  now  in  the  most 
earnest  manner,  and  entreat  you  by  any  grati- 
tude or  friendship  which  you  may  now  be  dis- 
po.sed  to  feel  towards  me,  to  speak  plainly,  and 
inform  me  why  you  left  my  niece,  Andrea,  m 
the  abrupt  and  strange  way  which  you  did?" 

"  I  will  do  as  you  desire,"  answered  Walter, 
sadly.  "Upon  a  certain  evening  I  witnessed 
an  interview  between  her  and  another  lover.  I 
saw  them  part  with  mutual  tears  and  embraces. 
The  sight  maddened  me  past  endurance,  and  I 
have  not  been  happy  a  moment  since  that  fatal 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


89 


hour.  Can  yon  wonder  at  my  misanthropy — 
can  you  reproach  me  that  I  am  miserable  ?" 

"  He  can  do  better  than  that,"  replied  Au- 
gustus. "  He  can  inform  you  that  that  young 
man  was  her  brother,  who  was  to  leave  her  that 
very  hour  to  return  to  his  class  in  a  northern 
college." 

The  party  had  dismounted  and  were  standing 
near  each  other.  At  hearing  this  unexpected 
announcement,  "Walter's  cheek  grew  ashy  pale, 
and  he  turned  his  eyes  wildly  toward  Augustus. 
Springing  forward,  he  caught  him  by  the  arm, 
exclaiming : 

"  What  is  this  I  hear  I  What  strange  words 
would  you  utter?" 

The  youth  w:is  much  agitated,  and  unable  to 
reply  immediately,  and  Ridgley  spoke. 

"The  lad  speaks  the  truth.  Andrea  St. 
Aubert  is  pure  as  the  angels.  She  was  incapa- 
ble of  wronging  you.  Natures  like  hers  are 
elevated  far  above  such  deceit.  An  enemy  has 
imposed  upon  you." 

"  Repeat  what  you  have  said,"  added  Wal- 
ter, shaking  the  arm  of  Augustus  with  consid- 
erable impatience.  "  I  would  hear  it  repeated 
from  your  lips." 

"It  is  true — true  as  holy  writ,"  stammered 
Augustus,  greatly  discomposed  by  the  vehemence 
of  Walter. 

"  And  that  man  was  her  brother  !"  cried  the 
latter,  flinging  the  youth  from  him.  "  Then  I 
have  wronged  Andrea  St.  Aubert  past  forgive- 
ness;  my  headlong  haste  has  made  me  the 
most  unhappy  of  men.  I  have  been  duped — 
cruelly  duped." 

"  You  have,"  resumed  Ridgley,  "  and  WikofF 
Is  the  man.  It  was  by  his  agency  that  you  were 
induced  to  doubt  her  and  seek  proof  of  her 
guilt.  He  sent  the  false  friend  to  you  who  led 
you  to  the  place  of  the  pretended  meeting." 

"  It  must  be  so,"  returned  Walter. 

"  It  appears  to  me,"  said  Augustus,  "that 
you  were  a  little  too  precipitate.  You  should 
have  seen  my  cousin  Andrea,  before  you  broke 
off  the  engagement.  A  word  from  her  would 
have  prevented  all  this  long  protracted  miisunder- 
standino;." 


"  Very  true ;  but  that  time  has  passed  a.nd 
cannot  be  recalled.  I  can  only  lament  my 
error,  and  punish  the  villain  who  has  deceived 
me  by  cunning  artifices." 

The  revulsion  that  took  place  in  the  mind  of 
Walter  was  very  gi-eat,  as  well  as  unexpected. 
To  hear  that  Andrea  St.  Aubert  was  innocent, 
was  indeed  a  relief;  but  with  the  gladness  con- 
sequent upon  such  a  discovery,  there  was  ming- 
led much  self-reproach  and  bitterness.  He  per- 
ceived that  he  had  been  deceived  and  wronged 
by  an  artful  rival,  and  while  smarting  under  the 
supposed  gi-ievances,  had  cruelly  wronged  one 
as  dear  to  him  as  his  own  honor. 

As  he  rode  forward  towards  Bexar,  accom- 
panied by  Ridgley  and  Augustus,  and  the  half- 
dozen  neiglibivs  who  had  volunteered  to  assist 
the  former,  he  was  a  subject  of  the  deepest  re- 
morse. 

"  Did  you  really  feel  vcay  friendship  for  An- 
drea?" asked  Augustus,  unconcernedly. 

"  That's  cool !"  said  Walter,  coldly.  "  You 
ai-e  not  very  deeply  versed  in  matters  pertain- 
ing to  the  affections?" 

"  I  don't  care  to  be,  if  it  makes  people  so 
desperate,"  retorted  Augustus. 

"Wait  till  your  beard  grows,"  added  Wal- 
ter, with  a  smile. 

"  That  win  be  a  long  time,"  said  the  youth, 
passing  his  hand  over  his  smooth  chin. 

"  I  think  so,"  answered  our  hero. 

On  the  following  day  the  party  were  agree- 
ably surprised  by  meeting  the  Texan  Rangers, 
who  were  moving  towards  Laredo,  fully  deter- 
mined on  Walter's  release.  It  was  a  pleasant 
incident  to  our  hero,  for  he  felt  a  strong  at- 
tachment for  Captain  Wilson  and  Lieutenant 
Cameron,  as  well  as  their  brave  fellows. 
Ethington  was  nuich  affected  at  the  recital  of 
their  sufferings,  and  the  friendship  they  had 
manifested  for  him.  The  order  to  "  right  about 
face,"  was  given,  and  the  Rangers  moved  to- 
wards Bexar  in  the  best  of  spirits. 

Felix  was  nearly  wild  with  joy,  and  found  it 
exceedingly  difficult  to  " 'spress  himself"  on 
that  occasion.  Walter  did  not  forget  to  have  a 
long  interview  with  Cameron,  in  which  the  name 


90 


THE  TEXAN  BilAYO. 


of  Carmencita  was  often  repeated,  and  the 
lieutenant  appeared  in  excellent  humor,  while 
our  hero  was  a  gTeater  favorite  with  him  than 
ever  before. 

It  was  observed  soon  after  the  party  had 
crossed  the  Nueces  that  Felix  was  nowhere  to 
be  seen,  and  his  master  began  to  feel  anxious 
for  his  safety.  Presently  he  joined  them  at  a 
gallop,  swinging  his  hat  and  much  excited. 

"  Yah,  yah !  heah,  heah  !  I's  gin  it  to 
him  !"  he  exclaimed,  with  an  uncommon  exhi- 
bition of  ivory  and  whites  of  the  eyes. 

"  What  have  you  done?"  asked  Walter. 

"Killed  d3  dehhiir'  replied  Felix. 

"Let  us  follow  him,"  said  Wilson  ;  and  the 
captain  and  Ethington  spurred  their  horses  after 
the  x\frican.  In  a  short  time  the  latter  drew 
up  on  the  piece  of  bottom-land  or  interval,  to 
which  the  attention  of  the  reader  has  been  be- 
fore directed.  A  man  was  lying  upon  the  grass 
near  the  river.  Walter  threw  himself  from  his 
horse  and  bent  over  him ;  it  was  WikofF. 

The  pains  of  death  had  already  seized  him. 
There  was  a  dark  spot  upon  his  forehead ;  a 
rifle  ball  had  entered  there,  and  the  life-drops 
were  oozing  slowly  out. 

"  What  means  this?"  exclaimed  Walter. 

"  It  means  that  I  am  dying,"  said  Wikoff,  in 
a  faint  voice. 

"  He's  got  de  debbil,  massa,"  said  Felix. 

"  Served  him  right,"  added  WiLsou. 

"  Go  yer  death  !"    cried  the  African. 

"Hush!"  said  Walter.  "The  man  is 
dying." 

"  It  grows  dark — earth  is  fading  away,"  said 
WikofF.  "I  am  not  ready — would  to  God  I 
could  live  for  a  day  I" 

"  You'll  be  a  corpse  before  five  minutes," 
added  Wilson,  bluntly. 

Wikoff  tried  to  rise  upon  his  elbow,  but  could 
not.  His  expression  grew  wild,  and  his  eyes 
dim. 

"  Andrea  St.  Aubert  is  innocent ;  she  loves 
you  still,"  he  said,  in  a  hollow  voice. 

These  were  his  last  words.  Death  stopped 
his  utterance,  and  his  eyes  glossed  over  forever. 
Each  stood  silent  a  moment   as  if  listening  to 


the  sound  of  the  angel's  wings,  as  he  conducted 
away  an  erring  soul. 

"  Thus  ends  the  career  of  a  villain!"  said 
Wilson. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Walter,  with  a  sigh;  "and 
may  God  forgive  him." 

"You  manifest  a  more  Christian  disposition 
than  I  ever  expected  you  would,"  returned  the 
ranger,  as  they  moved  away  from  the  spot. 

As  they  rode  to  rejoin  their  friends,  Felix 
turned  in  the  saddle  and  shook  his  fist  at  the 
body  of  Wikoff. 

"  What  made  you  do  it  ?"  a,sked  Walter. 

"  'Kase  I  had  a  chance,"  said  Felix.  "  He's 
made  trubbil  enuff.  I've  'spressed  de  natur  ob 
my  con\-ictions  on  dat  subjeck.  He  'suited  dis 
cullud pusson  once  on  dat  very  spot." 

"Do  you  think,"  said  AV alter  to  Augustus 
Henrie,  "that  I  could  have  an  interview  with 
Miss  St.  Aubert  ?" 

"For  what  purpose?"  he  a.sked. 

"  To  confess  my  fault,  entreat  her  to  pardon 
me,  and  say  farewell.  Will  you  be  my  mes- 
senger to  Andrea?" 

"  I  will,"  replied  the  youth. 

"  This  very  hour  ?"  added  Walter. 

"  This  very  hour,"  said  Augustus. 

"  Go  then,  my  good  youth,  and  I  will  await 
your  return  here  at  the  camp.  Do  not  keep  me 
long  in  suspense,  because  my  feelings  during 
your  absence  will  not  be  of  the  most  enviable 
kind." 

Promising  to  be  expeditious,  and  u.so  all  his 
influence  with  Andrea,  Augustus  departed  upon 
his  mission.  After  the  lapse  of  an  hour  which 
seemed  an  age  to  Ethington,  a  color(,'d  servant 
])rought  a  note  from  Mr.  Ridgley,  stating  that 
Miss  St.  Aubert  had  reluctantly  granted  his  re- 
quest ;  but  begged  that  the  interview  might  be 
as  brief  as  possible. 

Our  hero  directed  his  steps  towards  Mr. 
Ridgk-y's  mansion,  agitated  by  emotions  which 
no  man  in  his  senses  could  have  coveted.  He 
felt  as  a  person  might  be  supposed  to  feel  who 
has  committed  some  gi-eat  crime,  and  is  on  his 
way  to  the  confessional  to  unburden  hLs  con- 
science. 


THE  TEXAN  BRAYO. 


91 


"How  would  Andrea  receive  liim?  how 
should  he  appear  in  'her  presence  ?  was  there 
any  hope  that  she  wonld  pardon  him?" 

To  none  of  these  questions  could  he  return  a 
very  encouraging  answer.  The  man  who  fought 
at  San  Jacinto  trembled  violently  when  he  en- 
tered the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Kidgley.  He  was 
conducted  to  the  parlor  and  kept  waiting  a  few 
minutes  in  a  state  of  trepidation  bordering  on 
insanity. 

He  heard  the  door  open  and  light  footsteps 
advancing ;  he  ventured  to  raise  his  eyes,  and 
Andrea  St.  Aubcrt  stood  before  him.  She  had 
lost  nothing  of  that  dazzling  beauty  which  dis- 
tinguished her  from  all  others  of  her  sex.  Wal- 
ter averted  his  gaze,  and  was  too  much  embar- 
rassed to  speak  immediately. 

"  I  have  presumed,"  he  stammered,  "Miss 
St.  Aubert,  to  solicit  an  interview." 

Andrea  made  no  answer. 

"  I  have  come  to  confess  my  error.  I  do  not 
expect  you  to  forgive  me,  but  I  do  wish  you  to 
witness  my  contrition,  and  hear  me  avow  how 
deeply  I  regret  what  has  happened." 

"  Augustushastoldmeall,"  replied  Andrea, 
striving  to  suppress  her  em.otions. 

"I  have  suffered  much,"  continued  Ething- 
ton. 

'"'  I  know  it,  Walter,  and  I  freely  forgive 
you.  You  were  more  sinned  against  than  sin- 
ning," said  Andrea,  in  a  gentle  voice. 

"  I  thank  you  from  the  deepest  fountains  of 
my  heart  for  this  condescension!"  exclaimed 
Walter.      "  You  will  forgive  me,  then?" 

"  For  the  sake  of  Augustus,"  said  Andrea. 

"  But  your  kindness  is  limited  to  a  certain 
extent ;  it  leaves  me  nothing  to  hope  from  your 
love,  and  I  did  not  expect  it,"  resumed  Walter. 

"To  please  Augustus,"  added  Andrea. 

"  Dare  I  believe  what  I  hear  !"  he  exclaim- 
ed, advancing  and  taking  Andrea  by  the  hand. 

"  To  please  Augustus,"  repeated  Andrea, 
with  a  smile. 

The  next  moment — no,  that  will  not  do ; 
the  blushes  of  my  heroine  shall  be  spared.  I  have 
no  right  to  describe  what  ensued.  Who  will 
dare  embrace  the  mistress  of  his  heart  after  a 


reconciliation,  if  it  is  to  be  put  in  print  and  pass 
before  the  optics  of  an  hundred  thoasand  read- 
ers I  It  is  not  fair  ;  such  moments  of  rapture 
belong  wholly  to  those  who  experience  them. 

"  As  you  have  done  so  much  to  please 
Augustus,"  said  Walter,  after  an  interval  of 
expressive  silence,  "  be  good  enough  to  ring 
the  bell  and  send  for  him,  that  I  may  thank 
him  as  he  deserves." 

Andrea  wiped  the  happy  tears  from  her  eyes, 
and  left  the  room.  In  a  short  time  Augustus 
and  Mr.  Eidgley  appeared. 

"  In  you  I  have  had  an  excellent  advocate," 
said  Walter,  embracing  the  youth  warmly. 
"  Through  your  intercession,  I  have  been  made 
the  happiest  of  men." 

"  It's  a  pity  I  am  such  a  dandy,"  rejoined 
Augustus. 

' '  I  thought  you  had  forgiven  and  forgotten 
that,"  added  Walter,  with  a  smile.  "  Where's 
Andrea?     I  wish  to  see  you  both  together," 

"You  shall,"  said  Augustus ;  and  instantly 
throwing  off  his  cap  and  outer  garments,  our 
hero  saw  both  Augustus  and  Andrea  in  one. 

"  Andrea  St.  Aubert !"  exclaimed  Ethington, 
recoiling  with  surprise.  "Is  it  possible  that  I 
have  been  so  stupid  !" 

" 'Spress  yerselfl  promulgate — luminate  de 
idee  I"  cried  Felix,  rushing  into  the  roora. 
"  Yah,  yah  !  heah,  heah  I" 

Walter  turned  towards  Ridgley  and  attempt- 
ed to  speak  ;  but  his  heart  was  too  fujl. 

"  She  is  unequalled,"  said  Ridgley. 

"  I  feel  that  I  am  unworthy  of  her,"  replied 
Walter,  greatly  wrought  upon  by  the  singular     '  ' 
denouement. 

"But  to  ^Ze«5e  Augustus,"  said  Andrea, 
archly.  .  \ 

"  Yes,"  replied  Walter,  earnestly,  "  tojylease 
Augustus,  I  would  undertake  a  pilgiimage  to 
Jerusalem." 

"It  is  unnecessary,"  added  Ridgley. 

"  I  can  now  understand  how  a  certain  chain 
was  restored  to  me,"  added  Walter. 

"  I  was  her  agent  in  that  transaction,"  an- 
swered Ridgley. 


92 


THE  TEXAN  BRAVO. 


Gentle  reader,  we  will  dwell  no  longer  upon 
these  pages.  Andrea  St.  Aubert  and  Walter 
Ethington  were  shortly  after  united,  and  the 
Rangers  danced  at  the  wedding.  Captain  Wil- 
son improved  the  opportunity  to  enter  into  a 
similar  arrangement  with  Marianna  Lee.  There 
was  much  joy  and  hilarity  upon  the  occasion, 
and  Felix  was  never  more  "  salubrious  "  in  his 
life.  ! 

Not  long  after  this  event,  it  was  rumored  that 
Cameron   was   about   to  follow   suit,  and  that  I 


Rosalia  was  engaged  to  the  second  lieutenant. 

Cogswell  was  never  again  seen  or  heard  of  iu 
that  part  of  the  country. 

Why  should  we  linger  to  say  that  Walter  and 
Andrea  were  happy  ?  It  were  useless  to  make 
the  remark,  for  true  love  has  the  power  to  strew 
life's  rough  pathway  with  fadeless  flowers. 

Time  has  written  its  years  upon  the  record  of 
eternity.  The  empire  has  rolled  westward, 
and  the  "Lone  Star "  has  become  one  of  a 
glorious  coHstellation. 


THE  END. 


[rROM    THE    FLAG    OF    OUR    UNION.] 


BY   JOSEPH    C.    BAKER. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Onk  of  the  dearest  reminiscences  that  comes 
through  the  long  vista  of  the  shadowy  past,  is 
the  remembrance  of  Sweetbrier  Cottage,  and  its 
dear  old  inmate,  Cousin  Patty,  as  she  was  fa- 
miliarly styled  by  the  circle  of  us  young  ones, 
who  loved  to  congregate  within  its  loved  pre- 
cincts, and  listen  to  the  tales  of  years  agone 
that  our  kind  hostess  was  ever  willing  to  relate  ; 
and  many  times  have  I  caught  myself  with  wide- 
ly distended  eyes  and  gaping  mouth,  drinking 
In,  what  I  then  thought  marvellous  accounts, 
])ut  which  I  have  since  discovered  to  be  stern 
reality. 

Methlnks'.even  now  I  behold  the  kind  old 
lady  ensconced  in  her  high-backed  arm-chair,  and 
presenting  by  no  means,  a  small  pattern  of  good- 
natured  humanity,  for  she  completely  filled  up 


her  throne,  which  was  of  ample  dimensions ;  and 
as  it  was  moved  out  on  the  porch  in  the  calm 
summer  twilight,  with  us  grouped  around  our 
empress,  I  thought  no  place  could  be  more  envi- 
able, and  I  am  sure  we  have  never  since  tasted 
such  unalloyed  happiness  as  in  those  dear  days 
of  our  innocent  childhood. 

To  describe  that  group  as  it  then  appeared, 
would  be  almost  impossible,  for  all  were  of  such 
different  dispositions  and  appearance  ;  but  an 
universal  harmony  always  prevailed.  The  lead- 
er m  all  our  pranks,  the  wildest,  most  unaccoun- 
table little  creature  in  all  that  little  band,  was 
Nell  May  wood,  a  black-eyed,  curly-headed  girl 
of  thirteen  summers,  who  was  scarcely  ever  known 
to  proceed  with  any  degree  of  studied  propriety, 
as  a  skip,  jump,  or  perfect  run  was  always  pre- 


94 


SWEETBRIER    COTTAGE. 


ferred  by  lier  to  a  steady  walk  ;  she  was  a 
merry-hearted,  sportive,  fawn-like  creature — ^but 
ah !  the  world  has  sadly  tamed  her  now ;  and 
the  very  opposite  to,  though  her  firmest  friend, 
was  tlie  gentle,  lady-like  IMary  White,  whose 
dark,  hazel  eyes  were  at  times  lit  up  with  such 
a  glow  of  enthusiasm  as  was  totally  at  variance 
with  her  usual  calm,  steady  system  of  deport- 
ment. She  was  continually  trying  to  bring  the 
giddy  Nelly  into  some  degree  of  subjection,  and 
as  often  failed  ;  for  as  well  might  she  have  sought 
to  chain  the  fitful  breeze  that  came  with  occa- 
sional wild  bursts  through  the  bower  of  sweet- 
brier,  that  gave  the  name  to  our  little  fairy-like 
cottage,  whose  walls,  as  they  gleamed  here  and 
there  through  the  twining  vines,  were  always  as 
white  and  spotless  as  the  driven  snow. 

Carrie  Lane  and  her  twin  sister,  Lizzie,  were 
often  there  too,  and  the  sweetest  little  darling 
in  the  world,  and  the  pet  of  Cousin  Patty  and 
the  whole  band,  was  Lilly  Raymond,  the  tiniest 
little  mortal  for  twelve  years  that  could  well  be 
imagined,  and  right  appropriately  was  she  called 
Lilly,  her  clear  white  complexion,  liglit  blue 
eyes  and  sunny  hued  locks,  could  be  compared 
to  nothing  else  than  that  pure  and  gentle  flower ; 
she  appeared  too  good  for  this  dark  world  of  sin, 
and  by  far  too  fi'ail  to  battle  with  the  rough 
waters  of  life  ;  and  it  cannot  be  wondered  that 
she  was  our  darling,  and  always  claimed  the  fa- 
vorite seat  on  the  low  stool  at  Cousin  Patty's 
knee,  with  the  old  lady's  left  hand  playing  with 
her  soft  silky  curls,  while  with  her  right  she 
made  from  time  to  time  such  appropriate  mo- 
tions, as  was  to  us  the  very  perfection  of  elocu- 
tionary evolutions.  Lil's  brother  Frank  and 
myself  were  seldom  absent  from  the  circle, 
though  the  girls,  especially  Mary,  often  threat- 
ened to  drive  us  forth,  if  we  did  not  leave  off 
our  rough  ways  and  teasing  tricks,  but  we  al- 
ways had  a  zealous  champion  in  the  frolicsome 
Nell,  who  would  often  join  us  against  her  gen- 
tler companions,  though  one  coaxing  look  from 
Cousin  Patty  was  sufficient  to  still  our  most 
boisterous  mirth,  and  through  her  influence  the 
boys  were  allowed  to  remain. 

The  cottage  was  situated  in  the  midst  of  one 


of  the  loveliest  valleys  of  Penn,  surrounded 
with  its  pretty  garden,  large  fields  of  grain, 
gi'ass  and  wide-spreading  orchards  of  the  choic- 
est fruit,  while  beside  it  was  the  little  whit-e 
barn  with  its  red  roof  and  tiny  dove  cot,  Brin- 
dle  and  Cherry  chewing  their  cud  in  the  ample 
barnyard,  and  the  turkeys,  chickens  and  ducks 
keeping  up  an  almost  deafening  cackling  when- 
ever old  Dinah  distributed  theii-  evening  food, 
making  herself  scarcely  less  noise  than  the  feath- 
ered recipients  of  her  bounty. 

"  Now  jes  stop  dat  snatchen,  yer  nasty  old 
gobla,"  she  indignantly  exclaims,  as  she  makes 
a  dive  at  the  oflfender  with  the  hoe  handle, 
which  luckily  for  his  back  he  has  the  instinct  to 
avoid ;  while  she  turns  her  attention  to  other 
equally  as  culpable  bipeds,  and  the  little  ban- 
tum  rooster  comes  in  for  his  share  of  reprimand, 
for  she  stoutly  declares  that  "nobody  wouldn't 
tink  he  was  no  'lashun  to  missus  no  how,  show- 
en  off  such  pig  manners,  and  Ise  mighty  shuar 
dat  Dinah  giv  urn  a  better  broughton  up  dan 
dat." 

Our  merry  band  now,  as  usual  at  this  hour, 
approached  the  cottage,  and  Nell,  who  had  been 
gaily  chatting  all  the  way  down  the  lane,  but 
keeping  her  hands  behind  her,  suddenly  Icapd 
up  to  Dinah,  as  she  was  closing  the  barnyard 
door,  and  heaped  upon  her  woolly  pate  an  enor- 
mous wreath  of  oak  leaves  and  cabbage  roses, 
and  she,  full  of  surprise,  blushing  no  doubt,  if 
we  could  only  see  through  her  ebony  complex- 
ion, with  a  low  courtesy,  wished  us  "  goodeben- 
in',  young  folks,"  and  with  her  towering  crown, 
walked  very  majestically  towards  the  dairy, 
greeted  with  a  wild  burst  of  merriment  from  us 
all,  and  even  her  mistress  stood  at  the  little  gate 
shaking  her  fat  sides  with  a  hearty  fit  of 
laughter. 

Instead  of  being  angry,  the  good  natured 
negress  soon  came  fo"rth  with  a  large  vessel  of 
milk  and  cups,  still  bearing  the  crown,  and  de- 
claring herself  "  de  queen  ob  night,"  and  with 
her  shining  black  countenance  illAinated  with 
her  white  teeth  and  rolling  eyeballs,  she  was 
certainly  a  fit  emblem  of  the  empress  of 
darkness. 


SWEETBRIER    COTTAGE. 


95 


Having  with  all  possible  politeness  received 
and  acknowledged  our  treat,  we,  at  the  owner's 
invitation,  entered  the  mansion  of  happiness,  and 
Cousin  Patty  took  her  scat  at  the  high -backed 
upright  piano  to  play  a  country  dance,  with 
which  she  occasionally  indulged  us,  and  soon 
we  were  bounding  through  the  most  intricate 
figures  ;  this  being  ended,  and  all  panting  with 
exertion,  though  Nell  declared  that  we  did  not 
dance  half  fast  enough,  we  sat  on  the  porch  to 
rest,  and  then  took  a  walk  in  the  garden  with 
the  old  lady,  to  see  the  bird  nest  she  had  found 
that  morning,  and  watch  the  humming  bird  ex- 
tracting the  sweets  from  the  honeysuckle.  When 
we  returned  to  the  porch,  the  last  rays  of  the 
setting  sun  had  died  away,  and  the  dear  old 
chair  being  brought  to  its  accustomed  place,  we 
as  usual  grouped  ourselves  around.  Nell  was 
the  last  to  settle  herself,  and  having,  in  her  wild 
glee,  obtained  permission  to  give  one  laugh  and 
a  good  scream,  to  which  ample  justice  was  ren- 
dered, she  nestled  down  by  the  chair,  occasion- 
ally gritting  her  teeth,  shrugging  her  shoixlders, 
and  dealing  sundry  pinches  and  punches  out  to 
me,  to  see,  as  she  said,  if  a  boy  could  take  fun. 
It  was  a  beautiful  evening  in  June,  the  zephyrs 
came  rustling  through  the  sweetbrier,  laden  with 
a  dehghtful  fragTance,  shaking  the  pink  petals 
ai-ound  in  a  perfect  shower,  and  the  white  moon 
was  faintly  discernible  in  the  clear  blue  sky. 
Nell  for  awhile  had  left  off  pinching,  and  with 
the  girls,  was  coaxing  Lilly  into  something  to 
which  she  was  rather  loathe  to  acquiesce,  but 
presently  turning  up  her  little  sunny  eyes,  she 
timidly  exclaimed  : 

"  Now,  cousm  Patty,  do  tell  us  why  you  never 
were  married  ;  the  girls  persuaded  me  to  ask, 
and  you  promised  to  tell  us  long  ago." 

"  0  yes,  do,  that's  a  kind,  dear  cousin,"  we 
all  exclaimed  ;  we  will  be  so  quiet." 

A  shade  of  melancholy  for  aa  instant  rested 
on  her  countenance,  for  causing  which  we  all 
felt  a  pang  at  our  hearts  ;  but  quickly  rcplacmg 
it  with  her  happy  smile,  she  answered  : 

"Well,  I  suppose  I  must,  smce  you  have 
been  so  patiently  waiting.  But  it  is  a  sad  task 
to  call  up  the  bright  visions  of  our  youth,  and 


tell  how  our  loveliest  dreams  have  faded  ;  yet 
from  experience  we  must  all  learn,  and  like  the 
bee  that  flies  from  flower  to  flower,  we  may  ex- 
tract the  sweetest  store  from  the  plainest  blos- 
soms, and  even  the  bitterest  cup  may  contain  a 
drop  of  honeyed  nectar. 

"  Now  all  of  you  know  I  was  born  in  this 
very  cottage,  and  many  of  your  parents  have  sat 
in  this  same  old  porch,  and  ours  perhaps  was  a 
merrier  band  than  your  own,  though  time  has 
somewhat  settled  us  now." 

"  0  yes,"  said  Nell,  "  I  often  hear  mother 
talk  about  those  happy  days,  and  she  says  you 
were  almost  as  great  a  romp  as  I ;  now  I  won- 
der, if  I  will  ever  be  as  stout  as  you,  Cousin 
Patty?"  and  she  laughed  merrily  at  the  idea. 

"  Perhaps  so,  sauce-box;  well,  we  gambolled 
in  these  green  fields  and  sheltering  woods,  until 
we  passed  the  sunniest  hours  of  our  existence, 
and  were  fast  verging  into  womanhood,  when  I 
received  a  pressing  invitation  to  visit  a  maternal 
aunt  in  a  neighboring  city.  As  you  may  suppose, 
I  was  almost  crazy  to  go,  but  my  parents  at 
first  were  not  willing ;  they  thought  their  daugh- 
ter would  be  better  in  then:  own  quiet  home, 
and  right  well  did  they  judge.  But  it  was  other- 
wise ordained,  and  at  my  earnest  entreaties 
joined  with  Cousin  Anna's,  I  was  permitted  to 
go.  No  happier  heart  than  mine  ever  beat  in 
maiden's  bosom,  or  gayer  hopes  or  wilder  vis- 
ions gushed  and  trembled  in  youthful  breast, 
as  I  set  off  in  the  coach  with  my  uncle  for  his 
city  residence  ;  as  I  bade  adieu  to  my  parents, 
companions  and  the  old  homestead,  I  cried  and 
laughed  till  I  was  almost  beside  myself  vvith  a 
combination  of  joy  and  grief.  I  had  high  antic- 
ipations of  happiness  in  my  new  sphere  of  life, 
in  the  great  metropolis,  and  sorrow  at  leaving 
all  my  dearest  friends. 

"  The  journey  was  a  pleasant  and  agreeable 
one,  and  when  I  arrived  at  my  new  home,  I 
was  received  with  every  demonstration  of  kind- 
ness and  hospitality.  My  aunt  was  very  like 
.mother,  though  as  became  a  city  lady,  more  for- 
mal in  her  dress.  She  had  the  same  warm  heart, 
and  received  me  with  ahnost  as  warm  a  kiss  ; 
being  so   situated,  I  was  soon  as  happy  and  as 


m 


SWEETBRIER    COTTAGE. 


much  at  home  as  in  om-  own  cottage.  The  time 
passed  on  in  making  and  receiving  visits,  at- 
tending places  of  amusement,  and  all  the  rou- 
tine of  a  city  life,  which,  being  new  to  me,  I 
enjoyed  with  all  possible  zest. 

"Among  the  most  frequent  visitors  at  my  un- 
cle's house,  was  Harry  Campbell,  a  young  law- 
yer of  rare  talents,  amiable  disposition,  prepos- 
sessing appearance,  and  in  my  eyes,  really  hand- 
some. Ever  gentle  and  obliging,  he  performed 
with  willingness  every  little  act  of  kindness  we 
requested.  He  was  on  very  familiar  terms  with 
the  whole  family,  and  being  the  first  young 
gentleman  into  whose  company  I  had  been  so 
often  thrown,  and  having  such  ample  means  of 
judging  his  qualities,  it  is  no  wonder  that  he 
found  favor  in  the  sight  of  a  girl  of  the  age  of 
seventeen  years. 

"The  happiness  I  always  experienced  in  his 
absence,  the  longing  for  his  return,  gradually 
unfolded  to  me  the  knowledge  that  I  loved  ;  the 
sensation  was  new  to  me,  and  perfectly  inde- 
scribable. I  would  hurry  over  this  part  of  my 
narrative,  for  in  your  happy  innocence,  you 
know  not  the  tender  feeling,  and  may  you  nev- 
er know  it  to  your  sorrow.  I  will  not  tell  how 
my  love  for  him  was  to  my  heart  what  the  sun- 
shine, dew  and  gentle  zephyrs  are  to  the  open- 
ing blossoms  ;  how  the  delicate  leaves  of  the 
bud  unrolled  themselves  'neath  his  smile,  and 
gave  forth  their  fragrance  for  him  alone.  Now  I 
had  indeed  commenced  to  live  ;  I  was  a  woman, 
a  trusting,  loving  woman,  but  0,  how  the  dream 
of  my  heart  faded  ! 


"  That  I  was  beloved  in  return,  I  could  not 
doubt ;  his  every  glance  seemed  to  speak  in  that 
language  to  my  heart,  but  never  being  alone, 
we  had  not  an  opportunity  of  expressing  in 
words  om-  true  feelmgs.  I  soon  made  a  new 
discovery  ;  my  cousin  also  Wed  Harry — a  wild, 
passionate  love  had  taken  possession  of  her  heart 
which  she  could  not  control,  nor  even  conceal ; 
a  change  came  between  us.  Before  we  were 
confidants  in  everything ;  now  each  strove  to 
hide  from  the  other  the  only  thing  she  had  to 
confide  ;  but  Anna  soon  guessed  my  secret,  and 
jealousy  sprang  up  in  her  heart,  and  she  put 
forth  all  the  little  arts  of  which  she  was  mistresf 
to  win  his  love,  and  not  possessing  a  disposition 
with  which  the  concealment  of  her  passion  was 
compatible,  I  soon  knew  all,  and  thinking  that 
I  might  be  mistaken  in  regard  to  his  feelings 
towards  me,  and  that  Anna  was  the  favored 
one,  I  strove  as  far  as  I  was  able,  to  crush  the 
all-absorbing  power  of  my  first  love,  and  avoid- 
ed intruding  myself  upon  their  presence,  and 
turned  my  attention  to  others.  Harry,  observ- 
ing my  reserved  and  backward  deportment, 
deemed  me  cold  and  unmindful  of  him  ;  and  be- 
ing loft  alone  more  frequently  with  Anna,  he 
wa.s  not  long  in  finding  out  the  feelings  with 
which  she  regarded  him,  and  which  she  did  not 
endeavor  to  conceal.  Seeing  that  ho  had  wound 
himself  around  her  heart,  and  as  it  is  so  plea.s- 
ing  to  know  that  we  are  beloved,  which  knowl- 
edge seldom  fails  in  some  degree  to  win  a  re- 
turn, his  heart  warmed  towards  her  with  the 
strongest  friendship. 


CllAMKR  11, 


"  BcT  the  hour  of  trkl  Was  at  hand.  Harry 
had  received  letters  from  the  south,  pertaining 
t^  pressing  business  that  required  his  immediate 
presence.  He  Was  aloUe  with  roy  coUsin  and  me 
on  the  evening  that  the  summoas  reached  him, 
and  told  us  of  his  intended  journey,  and  that 
the  period  of  his  return  was  indefinite.  I  can- 
not describe  the  effect  the  uliWelcome  informa- 
tion had  upon  us ;  it  came  so  suddenly  that  we 
had  no  time  for  reflection,  and  this  Was  his  part- 
ing visit.  Anna  burst  into  tears,  and  I,  not 
wishing  to  expose  myself,  and  endeavoring  to 
crush  the  rising  emotions,  after  a  few  hurried 
words  of  regret,  arose  and  left  tlie  apartment. 
The  proceedings  of  that  hour  sealed  my  destiny. 
Anna,  unasked,  made  a  full  confession  of  what 
should  have  been  her  heart's  dearest  treasured 
secret,  and  he,  thinking  me  cold  and  haughty, 
from  my  studied  indifference,  and  seeing  the  ex- 
tent to  which  matters  had  gone,  made  her  a 
proposal  of  his  hand,  and  of  course,  was 
accepted. 

"  This  I  learned  when  I  had  summoned  suffi- 
cient courage  to  return  to  the  presence  of  him  I 


loved  so  profoundly — but  he  had  gone,  and  I 
should  see  him  no  more,  until  he  returned  to 
wed  another. 

"  The  dark,  Wild  thoughts  that  took  posses- 
sion of  ray  breast  in  that  next  hour,  can  never 
be  knoWn  ;  my  sweetest  dream  was  fading,  my 
brightest  hope  gone,  and  the  light  of  lifo  seemed 
almost  extinguished.  While  I  laid  motionless, 
burning  thoughts  Were  rushing  through  my 
heart — it  seemed  almost  bursting,  and  I  became 
so  oppressed  that  I  could  scarcely  breathe ;  a 
flood  of  teai-s  brought  some  relief,  and  I  was 
etiabled  to  consider  with  more  calmness  aiid  rea- 
son what  course  to  pursue.  1  determined  from 
that  hour  to  hide  every  trace  of  my  unhappy 
love.  I  felt  that  I  must  have  been  mistaken, 
and  that  he  had  never  regarded  me  with  warm^ 
er  sentimeUts  than  those  prompted  by  friendship  ; 
and  my  sincere  wishes  being  for  his  happiness,  I 
vowed  to  live  for  its  promotion,  even  at  the  saC' 
rifled  of  my  own  peace  of  mind. 

"  I  came  that  evening  from  my  own  little 
sanctuary,  a  changed  being — I  seemed  to  have 
lived  years  of  sorrow  in  that  brief  hour,  but  th^ 


98 


SWEETBEIER    COTTAGE. 


greatest  fury  of  the  storm  was  passed,  and  a 
momentary  calm  had  in  a  measure  succeeded. 
I  ascended  to  the  parlor,  and  seeing  Anna  with 
a  face  radiant  with  hope,  although  fairly  shud- 
dering, I  approached,  and  embracing  her,  wish- 
ed her  joy.  She  gazed  long  and  earnestly  into 
my  countenance.  I  quailed  not  beneath  that 
searching  glance,  and  seemingly  satisfied,  she 
pressed  me  to  her  bosom  and  wept  tears  of  very 
happiness. 

"  How  strangely  our  hearts  contrasted,  as 
we  stood  that  night  clasped  in  each  other's  arms  ; 
her  head  was  resting  upon  my  breast,  and  I 
wonder  my  beating  heart  did  not  whisper  the 
sad  tale  of  my  sufferings  in  her  ear.  The  same 
cause  had  occasioned  such  widely  different  ef- 
fects in  our  bosoms — her's  brimming  full  of  joy, 
"•ladness  and  delightful,  rapturous  anticipation — 
mine  of  woe,  darkness  and  blighted  hope,  not 
one  ray  to  inspire  me  with  even  a  tolerable  fu- 
ture ;  how  well  I  sustained  myself  in  that  try- 
ing hour,  I  cannot  tell,  but  from  that  time  for- 
ward wo  were  the  fondest  friends.  Anna  told 
me  her  every  hope,  which  I  endeavored  to  en- 
courage, for  I  would  not  have  had  another 
heart  seared  like  mine,  for  worlds. 

"  The  months  rolled  rapidly  by,  and  had 
numbered  nearly  a  year,  before  Harry  returned, 
and  when  he  did,  the  meeting  with  his  betroth- 
ed was  not  an  warm  as  I  thought  it  should  have 
been,  but  she  was  happy  in  his  presence,  and 
saw  not  the  want  of  affection.  I  had  schooled 
myself  for  the  first  meeting  with  him,  and  not 
daring  to  trust  myself  alone,  it  was  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  whole  family ;  and  he  little  thought, 
as  I  carelessly,  though  in  a  friendly  manner, 
welcomed  him  back,  that  my  heart  was  crushed 
and  hopeless.  The  day  was  fixed  for  the  mai-- 
riage,  and  I  had  consented  to  be  Anna's  brides- 
maid. I  decked  her  in  her  bridal  robes,  and 
thought  she  never  looked  more  lovely,  her  eyes 
beaming  with  the  joy  that  reigned  in  her  lieart, 
and  governed  her  every  action.  A  -wTeath  of 
orange  buds  clasped  the  veil  that  fell  over 
her  snowy,  well  rounded  shoulders,  and  shaded 
her  dark  curls  ;  a  fragrant  bouquet  was  fastened 
at  her  bosom,  and  the  rich  perfume  of  the  deli- 


cate fiowers  was  not  sweeter  than  the  hopes 
that  animated  the  heart  beneath.  All  was 
ready,  and  I  approached  with  them  the  altar  at 
which  my  happiness  was  to  be  sacrificed  ;  the 
guests  were  all  excitement,  the  rustling  of  silks 
and  fluttering  of  fans  was  by  me  unnoticed. 
I  mechanically  perfonned  the  ofiice  of  withdraw- 
ing the  glove  and  other  customary  duties  of  the 
bridesmaid,  and  was  nerving  myself  for  the  last 
effort.  The  ceremony  proceeded,  Anna  plight- 
ed her  vows  in  calm,  happy  tones,  but  Harry, 
as  his  eyes  met  mine,  wliich  were  fixed  eaniestly 
upon  him,  faltered,  and  replied  in  a  low  confus- 
ed tone.  My  suspicions  were  verified.  I  could 
bear  up  no  longer,  and  as  the  nuptial  benedic- 
tion was  being  delivered,  I  sank  upon  the  ground 
before  him  M'ho  had  implanted  such  a  thorn 
within  my  breast,  and  he  alone  suspected  the 
real  cause  of  my  fainting ;  the  others  ascribed  it 
to  the  close  air  and  want  of  ventilation,  and  re- 
moving me  to  a  carriage,  bore  me  with  the  par- 
ty home. 

"  It  was  now  no  home  for  me.  I  returned  to 
my  own  cottage,  and  in  the  quiet  duties  of  a 
country  life  endeavored  to  find  the  balm  to  heal 
my  wounded  spirit,  and  in  a  dcgi-ee  succeeded, 
though  my  lightness  and  ehisticity  of  spirits  had 
vanished,  and  my  kind  anxious  mother  would 
shake  her  head  and  say  she  knew  Patty  would 
not  be  benefited  by  her  city  residence. 

"Iliad  been  but  a  short  time  home,  wlien 
Anna  wrote  and  earnestly  entreated  me  to 
come  to  her,  she  was  unhappy ;  I  could 
not  resi.st  her  pleading,  and  I  went,  though  I 
fain  would  have  remained  at  home.  When  I 
arrived,  I  saw  all  thmgs  were  not  right ;  she 
shed  tears  as  she  embraced  me,  but  they  were 
not  of  joy,  for  a  shade  of  mournful  sadness  had 
settled  on  her  countenance,  and  I  saw  her  an- 
ticipations had  not  been  realized.  She  uttered 
not  a  word  of  complaint,  but  my  woman's  nature 
divined  the  cause,  and  from  the  bottom  of  my 
heart  I  pitied  her. 

"  In  his  home  where  a  husband  should  find 
his  only  true  happiness,  Harry  was  discontented 
— the  steady  love  of  Anna  was  a  reproach  to 
him,  for  he  could  not  return  it,  and  he  felt  that 


SWEETBRIER    COTTAGE. 


99 


lie  had  basely  deceived  her ;  and  such  helng  the 
case,  he  mingled  more  with  the  companions,  in 
whose  company,  by  reason  of  his  active  life,  he 
was  thrown ;  the  intoxicating  glass  had  been 
raised  to  his  lips,  and  he  was  a  marked  victim 
of  intemperance.  How  many  a  poor  weak 
youth  has  yielded  to  the  tempter  beneath  the 
guise  of  ruby  wine,  and  havmg  been  entangled 
in  the  meshes  of  the  lurking  snare,  gone  down 
to  an  outcast's  grave.  0,  when  will  the  accurs- 
ed demon,  which  is  laying  waste  our  beautiful 
land,  be  cast  out  from  among  us,  and  our  ha}> 
piest  hearthstones  cease  to  be  made  desolate? 
Widowed  and  broken  hearts,  blighted  youth  and 
withered,  decrepit,  gray-headed  old  age  sinking 
slowly  into  the  tomb,  are  crying  oft  to  Heaven 
for  vengeance  against  the  foul,  hydra-headed 
monster.  How  my  heart  bled  for  Harry  and 
poor  Anna  too, — she  never  murmured,  but  tried 
to  win  his  We  by  her  devoted  attention. 

"  One  evening  Harry  came  home  earlier  than 
usual  and  found  me  alone;  it  was  the  first 
time  since  his  fatal  marriage, — and  dropping  on 
his  knees,  he  told  me  of  the  deep  love  he  was 
consumed  with,  and  that  I  was  the  object.  I 
endeavored  not  to  listen,  and  tried  to  rise  and 
leave  his  presence  ;  but  I  was  spell-bound,  and 
had  not  the  power  to  move,  till  summoning  all 
my  energy  when  he  begged  that  I  should  fly 
with  him  and  be  happy,  I  repelled  the  insulting 
proposal,  told  how  ardently  I  had  loved  him, 
and  when  he  became  another's  howl  had  crush- 
ed that  feeling,  which  he  should  also  have  done, 
and  turned  his  attention  to  her  who  was  his 
proper  care,  and  had  the  only  right  to  claim  his 
affection ;  and  since  he  had  plighted  those  vows 
which  could  not  be  broken  without  the  great  sin 
of  foul  perjury,  he  had  highly  outraged  my  feel- 
ings by  the  utterance  of  such  a  proposition.  I 
hastily  left  his  presence,  and  without  a  word  to 
Anna  as  to  the  true  cause  of  my  abrupt  depart- 
ure, I  started  home  on  the  following  day. 

"  The  knowledge  that  my  love  had  been  re- 
turned, was  soothing  to  my  heart ;  and  though 
it  had  been  so  unfortunately  interrupted,  I  re- 


mained true  to  him,  who  alone  had  ever  been 
able  to  call  forth  that  affection  without  which*  I 
could  never  marry.  I  never  saw  him  again, 
until  I  was  summoned  to  console  his  broken- 
hearted widow,  and  look  upon  his  disfigured 
corpse  arrayed  for  its  last  resting-place ;  long 
and  passionately  I  mourned  at  his  untimely  end. 
I  felt  that  it  was  not  sinful  to  allow  my  love  to 
break  forth  in  weeping,  now  that  his  spirit  had 
winged  its  way  from  earth ;  and  I  sympathized 
with  Anna  as  none  but  I  could  do.  We  prayed 
together,  and  scalding  tears  coursed  down  our 
cheeks,  for  we  had  both  loved  with  ardor  and 
truth. 

"  I  remained  long  enough  to  see  my  poor 
cousin  and  her  little  one  follow  the  husband  to 
his  narrow  bed,  and  once  more  returned  to  my 
country  home,  never  to  leave  it  till  the  angel  of 
death  should  summon  me  to  traverse  that  dark 
valley  over  which  he  holds  dominion." 

Wiping  a  tear  from  her  eye,  Cousin  Patty 
earnestly  entreated  us  for  her  sake  to  think 
kindly  of  old  maids,  and  never  to  join  in  the 
uncharitable  slanders  against  them;  for,  al- 
though so  often  sour  and  crabbed,  we  know  not 
the  blighted  hearts  that  have  sustained  that  title, 
nor  the  sorrows  and  trials  they  may  have  nobly 
borne. 

We  all  readily  assented,  and  if  she  was  a 
specimen,  they  must  be  the  dearest  old  creatures 
in  existence.  Mary  White  decidedly  averred 
that  she  would  never  marry,  but  live  a  life  of 
single  blessedness ;  and  Nell  declared  that  no 
masculine  should  ever  tame  her.  Why,  the  de- 
ceitful creatures  were  not  worth  wasting  a 
thought  upon.  When  we  arose  to  depart  night 
had  thrown  around  us  her  dusky  mantle  ;  and 
having  each  culled  a  bouquet  of  Cousin  Patty's 
flowers,  which  we  thought  always  had  a  sweeter 
fragrance  than  our  own,  we  proceeded  on  our 
way,  lighted  by  the  flashing  fairy-like  lanterns  of 
the  fireflies,  that,  like  so  many  stars  dropped 
from  the  blue  expanse,  gleamed  from  the  road- 
side thicket  and  hedge. 

It  was  the  last  time  that  xmdivided  group  met 


100 


SWEETBRIER    COTTAGE, 


at  Sweetbrier  Cottage ;  the  next  day  Carrie 
La^ie  was  taken  ill,  antl  ere  the  winter  folded 
around  his  snowy  mantle,  she  fled  to  her  angel 
home ;  and  thus  was  the  first  link  of  our  little 
chain  of  friends  severed.  And  as  the  years 
wore  away,  we  one  after  another  parted,  till 
that  band  is  now  widely  scattered. 

Mary  "White,  in  spite  of  her  jn-oposed  old 
maidenliood,  married  our  Lilly's  brother  Frank  ; 
and  Nell,  after  running  a  brilliant  and  fiishion- 
able  season  in  New  York,  married  a  dasliing 
rake,  and  is  now  sadly  tamed. 

Lizzie  Lane  also  ])ccanie  a  steady  matron,  and 


our  beautiful  Lilly  is  still  a  maid ;  tall,  grace- 
ful, and  handsomer  if  possible  than  in  her  child- 
hood, and  not  half  so  frail  in  appearance  ;  and 
though  she  still  visits  Cousin  Patty,  and  telli* 
her  that  she  is  going  to  follow  her  example,  yet 
there  is  some  one  who  is  laboring  to  coax  her 
out  of  that  notion,  and  will  one  day  persuade 
her  to  embark  upon  the  sea  of  matrimony  ;  and 
he  fondly  cherishes  the  idea  that  he  will  be  s\ic- 
cessful,  and  has  sly  visions  of  Lilly  as  a  charm- 
ing little  wife,  and  those  scores  of  nothings 
which,  all  combined,  lift  two  fond  hearts  united 
in  wedded  blis^,  to  the  height  of  mortal  felicity. 


THE   END 


'S5 


j 


^  <-  .- 


/    /x 


